VIRUS-INFECTIONS OF RESPIRATORY-TRACT CYTOPATHOLOGIC AND CLINICAL ANALYSIS

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  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 21  (1) , 32-36
Abstract
Cases (33) of respiratory tract virus infections diagnosed cytologically are reviewed. The clinical and demographic data are presented and correlated with an analysis of the cytologic findings. Herpesvirus was the most common infection. It occurred in patients with other severe medical problems and had little apparent effect on the clinical outcome of any particular case. Quantitative and qualitative cytologic findings did not correlate with the severity of the herpetic infection. The virus was isolated in culture in only 1 of 21 cases of herpesvirus infection. Cases in the later part of the study indicate an increasing incidence or recognition of the infection in the respiratory tract. In this series there was a clustering of herpesvirus cases in relation to date of admission and hospitalization in respiratory intensive care. Cytomegalovirus inection was recognized in 4 cases. This infection occurs in the immune suppressed patient and diagnosis can be made reliably from cytologic findings. Smears must be screened thoroughly and carefully as the characteristic inclusion is seen in only a rare cell. Bronchial brushing specimens are most useful. The disease should not be fatal if the level of immune suppression can be manipulated and the patients basic medical problem is not too severe. Cytologic findings contribute little information to the diagnosis of adenovirus infections. Patients in this series have other major medical problems and adenovirus infection was incidental. The cytologic findings in some cases may be non-specific since antibody studies and cultural confirmation are lacking.

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