[Incidence, diagnosis and therapy of acute respiratory tract diseases caused by influenza viruses, Mycoplasma, Legionella and Chlamydia].

Epidemiology, diagnostics and specific therapy of the infections of the respiratory organs by influenza viruses, mycoplasmas, legionellae and chlamydia are represented at the example of the so-called atypical pneumonias. Among our own hospitalized patients by means of bacteriological and serological methods the proportion of the pathogen agents mentioned in acute diseases of the respiratory tract was established. In more than 30% of the cases cared for, in pneumonias even in 50%, an etiologic clarification was possible. The results render probable that in adult patients who are hospitalized with acute infections of the respiratory system in the winter half-year in 25% is to be reckoned with an influenza virus infection, in 10% with an infection by mycoplasma pneumoniae and in 15% with a legionellosis.