[The characteristics of the course of acute pneumonia in patients subjected to prolonged exposure to low doses of ionizing radiation as a result of the accident at the Chernobyl Atomic Electric Power Station].

Distinct changes in the clinical picture of acute pneumonia were noted in patients subjected to constant prolonged (1986-1990) effect of small doses of ionizing radiation as a result of residing in the contaminated territory after the Chernobyl atomic station disaster. These changes included increased duration of the disease, frequency of protracted forms, suppression of the immune system. At the same time a general decrease of the incidence of acute pneumonia, increase of the frequency of severe cases of concomitant pathology indicate some stimulating effect of small doses of ionizing radiation on the body with a healthy immune system and suppressing effect on inadequately functioning immune system. Changes of the clinico-laboratory indices of the course of acute inflammatory process depended on the duration of residing in the contaminated locality and to a lesser degree of the dose.