Reye syndrome with associated influenza A and B infection

In early 1974, seventeen children were treated for Reye syndrome. Thirteen of these were studied for laboratory evidence of concomitant viral infection. Influenza B/Hong Kong was isolated from the pharynx in four of nine 1974 cases tested. One child had just recovered from varicella. Adenovirus type 2 and respiratory syncytial virus were isolated from two additional patients. Serologic tests for influenza suggested concomitant or recent influenza B infection in ten of 13 of 1971 cases. During February 1975, six children were treated for this syndrome. Influenza A/Port Chalmers was recovered from three in six 1975 cases, and all six showed significant antibody rises to influenza A. These studies suggest that influenza viruses provide a trigger mechanism for the development of Reye syndrome in susceptible children.