[Microscopy of the sputum in the etiological diagnosis of acute pneumonia]. / Mikroskopiia mokroty v étiologicheskoi diagnostike ostroi pnevmonii.

The authors propose an algorithm for an early etiological diagnosis of pneumonia. The microscopy of Gram-stained smear of sputum is one of the main components of the algorithm. The character of microflora obtained as the result of the analysis determines the further medical examination and treatment of patient.

[Pathogenesis of acute pneumonia]. / K patogenezu ostroi pnevmonii.

The patients with acute pneumonias demonstrated interdependent changes in lipid peroxidation (LPO), antioxidant system (AOS), immune system (IS), and in the pituitary-adrenocortical system (PAS), related to the character of the disease course. The most pronounced changes were seen in the patients with acute pneumonias eventuating in pneumofibrosis. The high level of LPO was combined with AOS depletion, immunodeficiency formation, and with dysfunction of the PAS. Antibacterial treatment did not exert any appreciable effect on the characteristics under study. Thus, the level of LPO and AOS status are important components in the pathogenesis of acute pneumonias, determining the character of the disease course and outcome. It is advisable that research work aimed at the design of the principles of antioxidant therapy may be intensified.