Epidemic Respiratory Disease / The pneumonias and other infections of the repiratory tract accompanying influenza and measles

by Eugene L. Opie; Francis G. Blake; Thomas M. Rivers; James C. Small

Bacteriology.—1. Throat cultures for: S. hem., Nov. 30, −; Dec. 5, +; 10, +; 12, +; 14, +. 2. Autopsy culture: Heart blood, Pneumococcus II atypical; right main bronchus, Pneumococcus II atypical, B. influenzæ, S. hem. (a few); left lung, Pneumococcus II atypical; left pleura, Pneumococcus II atypical.

Case 188. Onset of measles, Oct. 3; admitted to hospital, Oct. 4; onset of bronchopneumonia, Oct. 14; recovered and discharged from hospital, Nov. 24.

Bacteriology.—1. Throat cultures for: (a) S. hem., Oct. 5, −; 8, +; 12, +; 19, +; 20, +; 27, −; Nov. 2, −; 9, +; 15, −; (b) B. influenzæ, Oct. 5, −; 8, −; 12, +; 19, +.

Case 678. Onset of measles, Oct. 23; admitted to hospital, Oct. 25; onset of bronchopneumonia, Nov. 2; of otitis media, Nov. 9; of mastoiditis, Nov. 13; mastoid operation, Nov. 20; still under treatment.

Bacteriology.—1. Throat cultures for: S. hem., Oct. 25, −; Nov. 4, −; 5, −; 12, +. 2. Sputum: Nov. 3, Pneumococcus Type IV, and B. influenzæ. 3. Culture from mastoid bone at operation, Nov. 20, S. hem.

Case 389. Admitted to hospital, Oct. 2, with diagnosis of influenza; onset of bronchopneumonia, Oct. 7; onset of measles, Oct. 13; phlebitis (right leg), Oct. 22; otitis media, Oct. 31; recovered.

Bacteriology.—1. Throat cultures for: (a) S. hem., Oct. 16 −; 20, −; 27, +; Nov. 2, +; 9, +; 15, −; 23, −; 30, −; Dec. 7, −; 12, −; (b) B. influenzæ, Oct. 16, −.

Case 725. Onset of measles, Oct. 18; one week in measles barracks; admitted to hospital, Oct. 27; onset of lobar pneumonia, Oct. 23; otitis media, Nov. 7; mastoid operation, Nov. 20; still under treatment.

Bacteriology.—1. Throat cultures for: (a) S. hem., Oct. 29, −; Nov. 1, −; 5, −; 12, +; (b) B. influenzæ, Oct. 29, +. 2. Sputum: Nov. 2, Pneumococcus II atypical. B. influenzæ. 3. Culture from mastoid at operation, Nov. 20, S. hem.

(c) Pneumococcus Pneumonias not Carrying Hemolytic Streptococci.—Thirty-four cases of pneumonia following measles went through their entire course in the hospital with no throat culture positive for hemolytic streptococci. In some of these cases there are records of twelve negative throat cultures. Eleven fatal cases occurred in this group. Autopsy findings and bacteriology showed in each instance that S. hemolyticus was not the cause of the pneumonia.