A total of 359 patients with acute
pneumonia and 152 practically healthy subjects comprising the control group were examined. Immunofluorescence was used to investigate nasopharyngeal washings for detecting
antigens of
influenza and
parainfluenza viruses, respiratory-syncytial virus, adenoviruses, whereas serological studies according to the hemagglutination delay test with diagnostic agents for detecting
influenza A1, A2, B, types 1, 2 and 3
parainfluenza, and the
complement fixation test were made to detect
antibodies against adenoviruses. Serological (65%) and immunofluorescence (63%) studies revealed associations of different viruses: type 3 and 1
parainfluenza, respiratory-syncytial virus (73%) with adenoviruses,
influenza B, A2, type 2
parainfluenza. Association of different bacteria was observed in 67% of patients: hemolytic staphylococcus (65%), hemolytic streptococcus (50%), pneumococci (45%), P. aeruginosa (40%), P. mirabilis (35%), E. coli (30%), enterococci (25%). Associations of 3-2 causative agents were predominant (53%). Marked decrease in the content of
complement and beta-lysins, elevation of the level of
lysozyme were observed in patients with viral-bacterial and
viral pneumonias as compared to the same characteristics in patients with
bacterial pneumonia and in control group subjects.