[Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)--new, unknown disease?].

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) caused by new corona--virus SARS-Co-V was not identified at humans and animals up to this time. A characteristic feature of this disease is biphasic course. First high fever, parainfluenza syndrome followed by increasing respiratory distress. The main role in transmission is droplet way, things contaminated by excreta, blood transfusion is not excluded. Pathomorphological changes are: bronchial epithelial denudation, loss of cilia, squamous metaplasia, a giant cells infiltrate of macrophages in the alveoli, haemophagocytosis, atrophy white pulp of the spleen. Diagnosis is based on clinical picture and epidemiological data supported by positive serology, PCR or presence virus in cell culture. In treatment ribavirin, steroids and mechanical ventilation are used.