Enterovirus D68 pneumonia in two older patients: A case report and literature review.

Abstract

Enterovirus D68 mainly causes respiratory tract infections, with children being the main infected population and most adults experiencing latent infections. This report presents the cases of two older patients with enterovirus D68 pneumonia. Both of them were diagnosed using next-generation sequencing, and one of them died of mediastinal emphysema despite undergoing various treatments. This report also reviewed the biological characteristics and epidemiological features of enterovirus D68 as well as the clinical diagnosis and treatment of the viral pneumonia. Currently, there are no specific antiviral drugs or vaccines, and the treatment mainly focuses on symptomatic support and anti-inflammatory therapy. Although there exists certain understanding of enterovirus D68 pneumonia, there are challenges in aspects such as a deeper understanding of the viral mechanism, development of drugs and vaccines, and optimization of diagnosis and treatment methods. Strengthening monitoring and health education is crucial for preventing and controlling the spread of this infection.