Tuberculosis during the siege of Leningrad

Abstract

In the article, the authors describe the clinical and anatomic features of tuberculosis among the citizens of Len- ingrad (now Saint Petersburg), as they were observed during the siege of this city in the years 1941 through 1944, thus called “Siege tuberculosis”. These were manifested in the form of a syndrome affecting not only the lungs, but also lymph nodes and other organ systems in different combinations. The main features of the clinical picture, the pathological anatomy and pathogenesis of the so-called “Siege tuberculosis” prove the far ranging similarities to the tuberculosis developing at the final stages of the HIV-infection. Both diseases develop on the background of the most severe immunodeficiency, and manifest themselves as the primary pulmonary tuberculosis accompanied by lymphogenous spreading from primary foci and massive endogenous bacteraemia. The doctrine of the “Siege tuberculosis” with its distinctive features in the areas of morpho- and pathogenesis obviously shouldn’t be neglected while diagnosing and treat- ing tuberculosis at our recent times.