We report the first adult patient with virologically confirmed croup caused by parainfluenza virus type 3 and review 10 cases of adult croup described in the English-language literature. Circumstantial evidence of viral infection was present in only 1 other case, in which there was a rise in antibody titer against influenza B virus. Ten patients (91%) required intensive care support. None of the 11 patients died. A comparison was also made between the 11 adults with croup and 43 children hospitalized with severe croup described in a representative paper published in 1984. Adult croup represents an apparently more severe disease entity than pediatric croup.

Keywords:
Adult croup, Parainfluenza virus type 3
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© 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel
2000
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