The neglected pathogen: case reports of severe lower respiratory tract infection by human coronavirus 229E

As the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic continues, other previously ignored viruses must be taken into account as causes of severe acute respiratory distress, influenza-like illness and pneumonia. In this article, we report two cases of pneumonia in chronic liver disease patients where human coronavirus (HCoV) 229E was identified as the only infecting pathogen. Both the patients presented with fever, cough and respiratory distress, along with radiological findings suggestive of pneumonia. Multiplex real-time PCR for various respiratory viruses (FilmArray Respiratory Panel 2 plus) detected HCoV-229E in both cases. Both cases were managed with prophylactic antibiotics, steroids and supplemental oxygen therapy, after which they recovered completely and were discharged.