ETIOLOGY OF NONBACTERIAL PNEUMONIA: A PROSPECTIVE AND CONTINUING STUDY
Abstract
Nonbacterial pneumonia occurs frequently in military populations, especially among recruits. The morbidity is high in otherwise healthy individuals and the time lost from training or duty is significant, particularly to the recruit, but deaths are rare. The known causes of nonbacterial pneumonia vary by season and geographical location from year to year. In January 1964 a three-year study was undertaken to determine the prevailing causes in patients admitted to Wilford Hall USAF Hospital. Adenoviral pneumonia, the specific entity most frequently diagnosed (14.7 per cent), was confined largely to basic trainees. Mycoplasma pneumoniae, confirmed etiologically in only 9.9 per cent, was associated invariably with a diagnostic serologic response. Other specific agents, including influenza (types A and B), Coxiella burnetii (Q fever), respiratory syncytial virus and various parainfluenza strains, constituted 9.3 per cent. Nondiagnosed, nonbacterial pneumonia composed the largest single group (66 per cent), possibly because of the inadequacy of current laboratory techniques or the presence of agents not identified previously.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1968
- Accession Number
- AD0681134
Entities
People
- Everett R. Rhoades
- James A. Reinarz
- S. S. Kalter
- Violet Armour