[Role of parainfluenza varuses in etiology of acute respiratory infections in children (serological diagnosis)].

Serologic investigations carried out in 254 children admitted to a Clinic for Children for respiratory diseases, established a diagnosis of infection with parainfluenza virus in 19.2% of cases. The predominant age-group affected was 7--12 months and 0--6 months; the causative agent in most cases was parainfluenza type 3, followed by type 2 and then type 1. The role of parainfluenza viruses in the aetiology of laryngotracheobronchiectasis was confirmed, as well as their participation in the aetiology of pneumonia in infants. The results also showed the wide circulation of parainfluenza viruses in children and their outstanding contribution to respiratory diseases among hospitalized children within a period of four years.