Infections with Viruses in Patients Hospitalized with Acute Respiratory Illness, Stockholm 1963-1967

Abstract

During 1963–1967 a study was undertaken of 1128 patients hospitalized with acute respiratory illness. 53% of the patients had pneumonia and most of them were 30 years of age or older.

Complement fixation (CF) tests were carried out against respiratory viruses, including adenovirus, influenza A and B viruses, parainfluenza viruses 1, 2, and 3, and respiratory syncytial virus, as well as a Bedsonia agent, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP). Antilysin tests against β-haemolytic streptococci, Staphylococcus aureus and pneumococci, and CF tests against Haemophilus influenzae were also performed.

A significant titre rise to viruses was noted in 27% of the patients. This overall incidence was almost the same in different age groups, whether or not the patients had pneumonia.

Antibody responses to more than one viral antigen, multiple responses within the parainfluenza group excluded, were found in 9% of the positive cases. In patients with CF titre rises to viral antigens 59% of those with pneumonia and 28% of those without pneumonia also developed significant titre rises against bacteria and/or Bedsonia and/or MP.

Patients with CF titre rise to viral antigens were analysed with respect to the seasonal incidence of infection and the clinical picture. In spite of the fact that the same investigator had examined all the patients, only minor variations in signs and symptoms were noted at admission between patients with signs of different single virus infections.