[Pathogenetic and pathomorphological problems of viral-bacterial associations in children dying of meningococcal infection].

The information on 63 children dying from hypertoxic forms of meningococcal infection is presented. Four groups of brain damage by respiratory viruses (RV) are distinguished on the basis of the results of morphological and virological examination: 1) with a recent RV generalization (26 cases); 2) with dissemination of an etiological agent but without clear-cut structural changes (6 cases); 3) with an isolated affection of the brain (13 cases); 4) without clear-cut brain damage. Experimental influenza-meningococcal infection was reproduced in 260 white rats. Enhancement of the animal death rate, multiplication of virus and the degree of brain damage in cases of combined action of both etiological agents is demonstrated. The ability of influenza virus, when inoculated intranasally together with meningococcus, to penetrate and to multiply in the brain provoking meningitis and choroiditis is shown virologically, histologically and electron microscopically.