Zur Epidemiologie, Therapie und Prophylaxe der interstitiellen S�uglingspneumonie

Berlin-Heimendahl, Susanne von; Goetz, O

doi:10.1007/bf00441999

Cited by 5 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 12 publications

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“…In keeping with a T-cell defect, 63% of many hundreds of infants with interstitial pneumonia from several German clinics experienced prodromes of rhinitis, pharyngitis, or rhinopharyngitis. 50 …”

Section: Pneumocystis: Taxonomy Biology and Defensementioning

confidence: 99%

What Caused the Epidemic ofPneumocystisPneumonia in European Premature Infants in the Mid-20th Century?

Goldman

2005

Pediatrics

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ABSTRACT. An epidemic of interstitial pneumonia principally involving premature infants occurred in Germany and nearby European countries between the 1920s and 1960s. Fatalities were due to Pneumocystis. Because the principal defenses against Pneumocystis are T cells, an acquired T-cell deficiency was postulated. A number of potential causes including malnutrition were considered. All were implausible except for a retrovirus that was benign in adults but virulent in premature infants. Furthermore, we suspect that the virus was imported into Germany from former German African colonies. Premature infants were vulnerable because of the developmental status of their T cells. Given the practices in that part of Europe at that time, the virus was most likely transmitted by contaminated blood transfusions and subsequent contamination of reusable needles and syringes used in injections. Although the epidemic ended 4 decades ago, a search for the postulated retrovirus can be conducted if tissues from affected infants are available. Pediatrics 2005;115:e725-e736. URL: www.pediatrics.org/ cgi

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Section: Pneumocystis: Taxonomy Biology and Defensementioning

confidence: 99%