Rheumatic pneumonia

Abstract

A pathological study of rheumatic pneumonia is made in material from 10 fatal cases. A comparison is also made with other pneumonias, including the pneumonic form of "Asian" influenza. Changes in the septa, alveolar lumen, bronchi and pleura were found. The findings suggest that rheumatic pneumonia, influenzal pneumonia, atypical pneumonia and pneumocystic pneumonia may be included among interstitial pneumonias although characteristics peculiar to each of these may be recognized. The chief lesion is found in the septum which is thickened and becomes congested showing a monocytic infiltrate. The alveoli exhibit a cleared lumen with some monocytic cells but later show hyaline pseudo-membranes and, finally, elastosis of lung tissue and thickening of pleuras. The severity of the clinical picture increases when pyogenic bacteria are superimposed thus giving rise to bronchopneumonic foci.