["Minimal" viral pneumopathies and respiratory virosis in Campagna in 1978: pathology for research]

High frequency of bronchilitis, 70% of 1117 infants with respiratory infections, and clinical, radiological and laboratory features concerning partial tension of haematic gases, haematic lactate, enzymic activities of serum (CK, GPT, GOT) in 31 infants hospitalized with symptoms of shock in course of respiratory infections apparently affecting the upper respiratory tracts, are reported. This minimal respiratory pathology, evidenced in 3% of 1117 infants, defined as "minimal" viral pneumopathy, can be brought out trough a shock: lactacidosis, combined in half the cases with an increase of serum levels of CK and GPT and with normal PaO2 was ascertained in 87% of the cases. Three groups of bronchiolitis can be differentiated by haemogasanalytic monitoring: 1st group with a "serious" respiratory functional damage (hipercapnia hypoxemia), 14%. 2nd group with a "moderate" damage (normocapnia-hypoxemia), 20%. 3rd group with a "sligth" damage (hypocapnia-normoxemia), 66%. Decompensated shock is considered as a frequent occurrence and it is referred to the widespread involvement of the pulmonary circulation caused by the immunity-flogistic process.