This Article Order Full text via Infotrieve Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Schwartz, D. A. Articles by Hughes, J. M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Schwartz, D. A. Articles by Hughes, J. M.

American Journal of Pathology, Vol 147, 1525-1533, Copyright © 1995 by American Society for Investigative Pathology

REGULAR ARTICLES

Pathology and emerging infections--quo vadimus?

DA Schwartz, RT Bryan and JM Hughes
Department of Pathology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

There have been dramatic changes in the occurrence of infectious diseases throughout the world in the previous two decades. The emergence of new microbial agents, and the reemergence of infections previously believed to be controlled, threatens the health of all populations. The emergence of these infectious diseases has occurred during a period of breakdown in the capabilities of the public health surveillance systems, prevention programs, and disease control efforts. Expertise in pathology is critical to provide a strong national control program for emerging and reemerging infectious diseases. Despite the many significant achievements made by pathologists in improving understanding of the pathogenesis and diagnosis of infectious diseases, the field of pathology remains largely oriented toward neoplastic diseases, and has not yet identified infectious disease diagnosis as an important component of anatomic pathology training and research, even in the face of the current threats posed by microbial agents. In addition, there is currently a dearth of infectious disease pathologists in the United States and elsewhere in the world, and the use of the autopsy, a prime pathological tool for diagnosis of emerging infections, is on the wane. The most serious problem is that no formal training program for infectious disease pathology currently exists in the United States or elsewhere in the world. As a consequence of this lack of training opportunities, there is a severe deficiency of young, well-educated pathologists with infectious disease expertise. This article explores the historical linkages between the disciplines of infectious diseases and pathology, and suggests that infectious disease pathology as a subspecialty be strengthened and training programs be initiated.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K. T. Wong, W.-J. Shieh, S. Kumar, K. Norain, W. Abdullah, J. Guarner, C. S. Goldsmith, K. B. Chua, S. K. Lam, C. T. Tan, et al. Nipah Virus Infection: Pathology and Pathogenesis of an Emerging Paramyxoviral Zoonosis Am. J. Pathol., December 1, 2002; 161(6): 2153 - 2167. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. S. Porter, K. B. Nolte, and L. L. Borio Evaluation of Inhalational Anthrax JAMA, February 27, 2002; 287(8): 984 - 985. [Full Text] [PDF]