Successful therapy with ribavarin of late onset respiratory syncytial virus pneumonitis complicating allogeneic bone transplantation

Summary A 21-year-old patient developed interstitial pneumonitis nine months post bone marrow transplant for acute myeloblastic leukaemia. Immunofluorescence of broncheoalveolar lavage fluid revealed the presence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Aerosolized ribavarin therapy resulted in rapid resolution of the pneumonitis with full recovery without any side effects. Ribavarin therapy should be considered early in the management of BMT patients who develop RSV pneumonitis.