History of U.S. Military Contributions to the Study of Respiratory Infections

Abstract

History reveals a tremendous impact of respiratory pathogens on the U.S. military, dating back to the time of the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, during which 90% of casualties were for nonbattle injury, including several respiratory illnesses such as measles, whooping cough, and complicated pneumonia. The devastating impact of the influenza pandemic at the end of World War I led to a more proactive approach to research into the etiologies and potential preventive measures for such diseases. The development of the Armed Forces Epidemiological Board, with its subordinate commissions, coincided with the massive mobilization for World War II. Efforts of the board during and after the war led to significant progress against many common pathogens, such as the landmark studies of group A Streptococcus among young trainees at Warren Air Force Base, which led to the development of highly effective prophylactic and therapeutic strategies to prevent rheumatic fever. Military pediatricians contributed greatly to this work, as well as subsequent investigations into both the pathogenesis of and prophylactic therapy for a variety respiratory pathogens, including pertussis and respiratory syncytial virus. The momentum of this work continues to this day, among researchers from all three military branches.