[Chronic isolated brain lesions caused by respiratory viruses in children].

Combined study of 48 postmortem observations of cerebral lesions caused mainly by meningococcal infection in children was carried out. In 15 cases, isolated subclinical involvement of the brain (more frequently, of the vascular plexus and meninges) caused by influenza A viruses (8 cases), B (2 cases), adenoviruses (6), parainfluenza and respiratory syncytial virus (1 each), and chlamydia (2) was found. This was proved by the presence of the appropriate antigens in the brain revealed by immunofluorescence which were absent in respiratory organs, high titres of antibody to the same agents in the cerebrospinal fluid which were lacking in 13 cases or had significantly low titres in 2 cases in the blood, virus isolation from the brain (2 cases) and detection of virus particles in 1 out of 2 cases from which the vascular plexus was examined by electron microscopy. Histological examination of the affected areas revealed structural changes of ependymocytes which were principally similar to those described in respiratory organs as well as in other organs in cases of generalization of respiratory infections. Different degrees of sclerosis of vascular plexus (2 cases) or meninges (2 cases) were also observed.