The research history of tuberculosis’ anatomical pathology in the Petrograd — Leningrad — Saint Petersburg’s phthisio-pulmonological institute (1923–2023)

Abstract

The research in anatomical pathology’s area always formed inherent substantial part of the scientific activities of the phthisio-pulmonological institute during the whole century of its history. It was closely connected with the clinical and epidemiological treatment of tuberculosis on every stage and in the widest sense of the definition. This refers to the general nosology of tuberculosis as well as to the particular pathological morphology of each organ.

Represented are three periods of anatomical pathology’s research: 1) the two initial decades, during this time one analysed foremost the excision’s materials and problems associated with the tuberculosis’ pathogenesis under experimental conditions; 2) 1940^th and 1950^th, when alongside with the post mortem- and experimental research one started to investigate the biopsy’s and operational excision of living patients; and 3) the last 60 years when exactly this type of research on living patients became predominant.

It is proven that the level of research in the anatomical pathology’s area was always up to date and coherent with the evolution of the scientific views on essence and morphological dynamics of structural changes in tuberculosis’ process, when seemingly unshakeable opinions were substituted or overturned by the newest ones, sometimes correcting or complementing the predecessors.