Clinical aspects of acute and chronic respiratory syncytial virus infection in adult polyclinic patients

: A total of 224 workers and employees engaged at the Smolensk flax spinning plant, suffering from acute respiratory diseases, were examined on an outpatient basis. Virus etiology of the diseases was established in 84 patients (37.7%) with the aid of the serological tests (HI and CF) and immunofluorescent techniques. Respiratory syncytial virus infection was diagnosed in 19 patients (8.5%). As regards the clinical picture the symptoms of intoxication were unmarked. Half the patients demonstrated moderate involvement of the upper respiratory tract which persisted for 7 days. Obstructive bronchitis was recognized in 8 out of the 19 patients. Subsequent dispensary follow up of the patients who suffered respiratory syncytial virus infection, including repeated serological and immunofluorescent studies, made it possible to reveal 2 cases with a chronic course of respiratory syncytial virus infection running in the form of bronchitis.