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None of the presenting symptoms or laboratory findings are pathognomonic for SARS. Even though cough developed in a majority of patients, it did not occur until later in the disease course, suggesting that a cough preceding or concurrent with the onset of fever is less likely to indicate SARS. While PCR for SARS-CoV appears to be the best early diagnostic test currently available, it is clear that better methods are needed to differentiate between SARS and non-SARS illness on initial presentation.

sTREM-1 expression in pleural fluids is highest in parapneumonic and neoplastic effusions but low in transudates. In infectious effusions, a high concentration of sTREM-1 may exclude tuberculous pleurisy.

We report 2 cases of Aspergillus pseudomembranous tracheobronchitis in patients with diabetes. The first patient succumbed to progressive obstructive respiratory failure despite mechanical ventilation and antifungal therapy. However, the second patient survived. Aspergillus tracheobronchitis should be considered in immuno-compromised patients presenting with cough, chest pain, fever, dyspnea and upper airway obstruction. Early bronchoscopy and histologic examination should be performed. Early, appropriate treatment may be life saving.

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