Haemophilus influenzae pneumonia and immunodeficiency in association with thymoma-A presentation of Good's Syndrome [Pneumonia por Haemophilus Influenzae e imunodeficiência associadas a timoma --- uma apresentac ̧ão da Síndrome de Good]

Introduction: good's syndrome is a rare cause of immunodeficiency associated with thymoma. patients with this syndrome are prone to infections with encapsulated microorganisms. the diagnosis may be delayed for a considerable time period even after the thymectomy. case presentation: we describe the case of a 70-year-old woman with a background of thymectomy who presented with pneumonia and gram negative sepsis. haemophilus influenzae was found in blood cultures. moreover,there was evidence of impaired b and t cell immunity consistent with good's syndrome. she was commenced on immunoglobulin replacement following treatment of sepsis and remains well 18 months after the initial presentation. conclusion: this case illustrates the importance of considering good's syndrome in the context of pneumonia and immunodeficiency associated with encapsulated organisms such as haemophilus influenzae. this clinical entity is associated with a significant mortality and should be considered as a cause of immunodeficiency even years after thymectomy. © 2011 sociedade portuguesa de pneumologia. published by elsevier españa,s.l. all rights reserved.