Contributions to the study of the etiology of serofibrinous pleurisy in Romania, under the present epidemiological conditions. Evaluation of the etiological role of viruses.

A number of 56 serofibrinous pleurisy cases were subjected to several usual diagnostic tests, as well as to virological investigations. Significant rises in serum antibody titers to different viruses were recorded in 25 cases; the presence of virus antigens in cells from the pleural fluid could be visualized by immunofluorescence in 11 patients. In many cases there was evidence suggesting multiple viral infection. The contribution of various investigation methods to differential diagnosis is discussed and the etiological patterns specific to different territories are outlined.