Reye syndrome with associated influenza A and B infection

F. L. Ruben and R. H. Michaels

In early 1974, seventeen children were treated for Reye syndrome. Thirteen of these were studied for laboratory evidence of concomitant viral infection. Influenza B/Hong Kong was isolated from the pharynx in four of nine 1974 cases tested. One child had just recovered from varicella. Adenovirus type 2 and respiratory syncytial virus were isolated from two additional patients. Serologic tests for influenza suggested concomitant or recent influenza B infection in ten of 13 of 1971 cases. During February 1975, six children were treated for this syndrome. Influenza A/Port Chalmers was recovered from three in six 1975 cases, and all six showed significant antibody rises to influenza A. These studies suggest that influenza viruses provide a trigger mechanism for the development of Reye syndrome in susceptible children.