Severe Pneumonia and Cytomegalovirus Coinfection in Infants with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is known to cause fatal pneumonia in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected children. There is a paucity of literature on pediatric HIV and CMV coinfection in India. We describe six cases of severe pneumonia in infants infected with HIV. Four of these infants also had CMV coinfection, detected by urine polymerase chain reaction. There was a lack of antenatal and postnatal care in all cases. All four infants with CMV coinfection succumbed to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome, whereas the other two survived. In conclusion, a high index of suspicion for CMV should be kept in HIV-infected infants presenting with severe pneumonia, although CMV pneumonia is difficult to diagnose with certainty. The important role of antenatal care for mothers with HIV infection, as well as postnatal care for babies born to HIV-positive mothers, cannot be overstated.