Fever, a dry cough, and a...

A 59-year-old man was sent to the hospital with a 3-week history of fever, a dry cough, and a sore throat. Due to his decreased hunger and impaired sense of taste, he reported losing 10 kg during the ensuing weeks. Vital signs were normal upon physical examination, apart from an oxygen saturation (SpO2) of 91% when breathing outside air. Unremarkable cardiac, abdominal, and neurological examinations were found, along with distant breath sounds on the right side of the chest during the pulmonary examination. Lab tests revealed a normal leucocyte count with borderline lymphopenia, CRP of 162 mg/L, and low procalcitonin levels (PCT). On admission, the chest radiography revealed subpleural sparing, and widespread bilateral peripheral patchy and irregular infiltrates. Small areas of paraseptal tissue were seen on the chest CT (figure). Antibiotic therapy with levofloxacin was suggested.