[Photochemotherapy in the treatment of acute pneumonias]

The application of photochemotherapy in acute pneumonia is based on pneumonia pathogenesis and the mechanism of ALIB- (autotransfusion of laser irradiated blood) and AUVBI- (autotransfusion of ultraviolet blood irradiation) techniques. The ALIB is preferable since the technique requires no device sterilization. The complex treatment of acute pneumonia with ALIB and AUVBI was found to enhance therapeutic efficacy, to decrease the severity of the disease course, to reduce its duration and hospital stay in inpatients. No considerable impact of ALIB on the duration of pneumonia was observed, but X-ray examination revealed a definite reduction in pulmonary microcirculatory disorders. Laser therapy promotes the normalization of functional T-lymphocytic activity. ALIB should be applied individually and in relation to the severity of the disease, to the distribution of an inflammatory pulmonary process and to the duration of the disease course.