Severe HCoV‐OC43 Pneumonia in a 25‐Year‐Old Woman Following Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Abstract
BACKGROUND: We report the case of a 25-year-old woman with a history of acute lymphoblastic leukemia who developed progressive dyspnea and fever following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. CASE PRESENTATION: Despite broad-spectrum empirical antimicrobial therapy, the patient's clinical condition worsened. Comprehensive diagnostic evaluation revealed human coronavirus OC43 (HCoV-OC43) as the causative pathogen. Histopathological examination of lung tissue confirmed viral pneumonia. Treatment with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid) was initiated. The patient demonstrated rapid clinical improvement, with complete radiological resolution within 3 months. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the potential therapeutic role of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir in managing severe HCoV-OC43 pneumonia in patients who are immunocompromised.
Fields of Study & Subjects
COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
Respiratory viral infections research
Publication details
- Journal / source
- The Clinical Respiratory Journal
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Volume
- 20
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- e70196–e70196
- Publication date
- 1 May 2026
- Language
- EN