
Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Yersinia pestis infection chest x ray
Introduction
Overview
Overview
A chest x-ray is required in patients suspected to have plague, especially those with pneumonic plague. Findings on chest x-ray may reveal the true burden of pulmonary disease when there are minimal findings on auscultation during physical examination.
Chest X-Ray
Chest X-Ray
Chest x-rays can be variable but may show diffuse interstitial or unilateral lobar infiltrates or consolidation. A chest x-ray is indicated in patients suspected to have the plague, especially pneumonic plague, because findings on auscultation during physical exam are frequently deceiving and may underestimate the true burden of the infection.
Shown below are images of chest X-rays of patients with plague.
Gallery
Gallery
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Chest x-ray of a plague patient revealing bilateral infection, greater on the patient’s left side, which was diagnosed as a case of pneumonic plague, caused by Yersinia pestis. From Public Health Image Library (PHIL). [1]
Editor-In-Chief: Template:Pneumonic plague C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

![Chest x-ray of a plague patient revealing bilateral infection, greater on the patient's left side, which was diagnosed as a case of pneumonic plague, caused by Yersinia pestis. From Public Health Image Library (PHIL). [1]](https://www.wikidoc.org/images/6/63/Bubonic_plague15.jpeg)