The pathology of influenza

Chapter 21: III. EXTRARESPIRATORY LESIONS IN INFLUENZA

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The authors present a systematic pathological study of cases from the 1918 influenza epidemic, based on eighty-two autopsies, detailing gross and microscopic findings. They describe necrotizing hemorrhagic lesions of the trachea and bronchi and several pulmonary patterns including acute diffuse fulminant hemorrhagic pneumonia, localized necrotizing pneumonias, and organizing bronchiolar/alveolar exudates. The work documents extrarespiratory effects on lymphoid tissues, spleen, bone marrow, blood vessels, the alimentary and urinary tracts, central nervous system structures, and changes observed in pregnancy. A comparative analysis contrasts these lesions with those produced by inhaled poisonous gases and emphasizes peculiar histologic features such as hemorrhagic and hyaline necrosis and patterns of organization. Bacteriological findings and their relation to pleural involvement and pneumonic types conclude the study.

III. EXTRARESPIRATORY LESIONS IN INFLUENZA

In all the fatal cases of influenza which came to autopsy, and this has been the experience of others, the respiratory lesions, as indicated above, occupy the foreground. Indeed, compared with other types of respiratory disease, the lung involvement is so great that expression of the disease need not be sought elsewhere to explain the cause of death. However, there are general systemic changes which, even though quantitatively inconstant, are sufficiently common and widespread to support the view that the disease is a systemic one. The lesions of the hematopoietic organs and those of the vascular system are the most important and will now be taken up.