Objective: To describe the clinical features of bronchopulmonary infection with hypermastigotes.
Methods: Two cases of bronchopulmonary infection with hypermastigotes were reported. The clinical features of another six cases from the Chinese literature were reviewed.
Results: Bronchopulmonary infection with hypermastigotes mostly occurs in the hot and humid southern area. The symptoms are severe, with different manifestations such as chronic cough, asthma, pneumonia, and even lung abscess. Final diagnosis is made by the presence of hypermastigotes in smears of secretions from the respiratory tract. An antiprotozoal such as metronidazole is always effective.
Conclusion: In patients with unexplained cough, asthma, and pneumonia or lung abscess which do not respond to ordinary therapy, rare pathogens such as hypermastigotes need to be considered.