Infections with Viruses, Mycoplasma Pneumoniae and Bacteria in Acute Respiratory Illness: A Study of Hospitalized Patients, Patients Treated at Home, and Healthy Subjects

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Abstract
Three study groups, composed mainly of adults, were tested for signs of infections with viruses, Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) and bacteria. The 3 groups consisted of 44 patients hospitalized for acute respiratory illness, 78 patients treated at home for the same condition, and 77 control subjects without respiratory symptoms. All of them were screened by serological methods for certain respiratory viruses, MP, and bacteria. Nasopharyngeal and throat swabs were cultured for bacteria and respiratory viruses (with the exception of rhinoviruses). Serological tests indicated fresh infections with viruses, MP, and bacteria or combination of these agents in 50% of the hospitalized patients, in 42% of the home patients, and in 8% of the controls. Multiple infections were noted in 14% of the hospitalized patients, as against 6% of the home patients and 1% of the control subjects. The distribution of aetiological agents did not differ appreciably between hospitalized patients and home patients.