Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 9, 2026
07:27
Methods for Detecting Cytotoxic Amyloids Following Infection of Pulmonary Endothelial Cells by Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Published on: July 12, 2018
5.5K
Infectious Causes of Death: An Autopsy-Based Study of 546 Cases
Soudabeh Eshaghi1, Fereshte Sheybani1, Aria Hedjazi2
1Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Open Forum Infectious Diseases
|February 18, 2025
Summary
Autopsies revealed that pleuropulmonary infections were the leading cause of death in infectious disease cases. Diagnostic discrepancies between clinical and autopsy findings occurred in 22.4% of cases, emphasizing the need for improved diagnostic accuracy in infectious diseases.
Area of Science:
- Medical Science
- Pathology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Accurate diagnosis of infectious diseases is vital for patient care and public health.
- This study retrospectively analyzed infectious disease deaths in Mashhad, Iran.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify common causes of death from infectious diseases.
- To assess agreement between clinical diagnoses and autopsy findings.
- To examine predictors of diagnostic discrepancies.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of autopsy reports from March 2009 to February 2018.
- Comparison of clinical diagnoses with autopsy results for 546 infectious disease cases.
- Assessment of diagnostic discrepancies and their potential predictors.
Main Results:
- Infectious diseases accounted for 1.9% of autopsied cases (546/28,451).
- Pleuropulmonary infections were the most frequent cause of death (69.8%), followed by bloodstream (14.1%) and intra-abdominal infections (10.0%).
- Diagnostic discrepancies were found in 22.4% of cases, notably in pleuropulmonary (29.1%) and central nervous system (CNS) infections (15.8%).
Conclusions:
- Autopsy plays a critical role in identifying diagnostic errors in infectious disease cases.
- Enhanced diagnostic capabilities are needed, especially for pleuropulmonary and CNS infections.
- Reducing misdiagnosis through improved diagnostics can lead to better patient outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Overview of Cell Death
Cell death is an essential process where the body gets rid of old or damaged cells. Cell proliferation and death need to be balanced, as an imbalance between the two may lead to cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the 20th century...
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the 20th century...
01:26Introduction to Epidemiology
Epidemiology, known as the cornerstone of public health, involves studying the distribution and determinants of health-related events in defined populations and applying these insights to control health issues. This is essential for understanding how diseases spread, identifying populations at greater risk, and implementing measures to control or prevent outbreaks. Epidemiology addresses not only infectious diseases but also non-communicable conditions like cancer and cardiovascular disease,...
01:25Endocarditis I: Introduction
Introduction:Endocarditis is the infection of the endocardium, the inner lining of the heart and its valves. When the heart muscle is involved, the condition is termed myocarditis, while an infection of the outer lining is called pericarditis. Infective endocarditis (IE) primarily affects the endocardium, where pathogens adhere to the valves or lining, forming vegetation that can lead to severe complications. Infective endocarditis occurs when microorganisms, usually bacteria from other body...
01:25Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis
Endocarditis can present various clinical features depending on the causative organism and the patient's underlying health conditions. Initially, the clinical features of infective endocarditis develop gradually, presenting with nonspecific symptoms that can be easily mistaken for other illnesses.General SymptomsEarly symptoms of infective endocarditis are fever, chills, weakness, malaise, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms reflect the systemic nature of the infection and the body's...
01:28Infectious Diseases and Their Occurrence
Infectious diseases appear in populations through various transmission patterns, influenced by pathogen characteristics, population immunity, environmental conditions, and social behavior. Understanding these patterns is essential for effective public health surveillance and intervention. These categories—sporadic, outbreak, epidemic, pandemic, and endemic—help frame the nature and scope of disease events.Sporadic diseases occur irregularly and infrequently, without a predictable temporal or...
01:23Investigation of Disease Outbreaks
Multistate foodborne outbreaks pose significant public health risks and require meticulous investigation to identify sources and implement control measures. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) utilizes a dynamic seven-step process for these investigations, integrating data from laboratories, interviews, and environmental assessments to protect public health.Outbreak Detection: The detection of multistate outbreaks typically begins with PulseNet, the CDC's national laboratory...