[A new conception of the pathogenesis of chronic bronchitis]

Clinical microbiological and immunological comparisons and data on various pneumococcal pathogenetic factors suggest chronic pneumococcal infections affecting cells and tissues of the bronchial tree to underlie pathogenesis of chronic bronchitis (CB). CB pathogenetic and clinical variants depend on the mechanisms regulating pneumococcal exudative and destructive inflammation. An obvious role of acute respiratory infections and acute bronchitis in the onset and aggravation of chronic bronchitis necessitates appropriate preventive measures.