[Acute pneumonia complicating chronic pyelonephritis in persons over 60-years-old]

A study was made of the clinical, x-ray and immunological features of acute pneumonias (AP) developing against a background of chronic pyelonephritis in 28 patients aged 60 and over this age. Routine microbiological inoculation of the sputum as well as noncultural methods (definition of antigen substances and specific antibodies in the blood serum) were employed for etiological deciphering. A modern program of etiological diagnosis ensured the detection of a wide spectrum of agents including viruses, Mycoplasma and Legionella. Pneumococci, streptococci, hemophilic bacteria in the form of monocultures as well as part of associations of microorganisms were shown to be the most frequent agents causing AP. The resistance of 495 strains of pneumococci, streptococci and hemophilic bacteria to antibiotics was considered. A low sensitivity of these cultures to tetracyclines and biseptol was observed. Caramycin and chloramphenicol were recommended for the treatment of AP combined with chronic pyelonephritis.