THE RELATION OF INFLUENZA VIRUS AND BACTERIA IN THE ETIOLOGY OF PNEUMONIA 12

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Abstract
69 cases of bacterial pneumonia occurring in Baltimore between Nov., 1946, and Aug., 1947, were studied for influenza virus. Sputa and sets of sera were collected from each case. 36 of these cases occurred when epidemic influenza was prevalent in the spring of 1947 and the remainder are classified as interepidemic cases. 17 of the 36 cases of pneumonia occurring at the time of the influenza epidemic yielded positive evidence, either by virus isolation or by serol. studies, of recent or concurrent infection with influenza virus. The virus was isolated from one case of the interepidemic group. 87 lung autopsy specimens were examined for the presence of virus using chick embryo isolation technics. 9 of these were classified as primary pneumonia, 2 of which yielded virus; 28 were classified as secondary pneumonia and 2 yielded virus; the remaining 50 specimens, which showed no evidence of pneumonia at autopsy, failed to yield virus by the technics used.