The Cause of Death in Smallpox: An Examination of the Pathology Record

Objective: Because the cause of death in smallpox remains controversial, the human pathology record was examined. Methods: The surviving case series of smallpox pathology in humans as well as other review articles from English language journals written during the last 200 years were reviewed. Results: The skin lesions in smallpox developed as a result of viral damage and inflammation. Secondary bacterial infection did not occur until the scabs started shedding. During the papular stage of skin eruption, a secondary viremia caused focal lesions in the pharynx, larynx, tongue, trachea, and esophagus in descending frequency. The virus also caused potentially lethal interstitial pneumonitis as well as tubulointerstitial nephritis. Conclusions: The cytopathic effects of smallpox cause death. The data did not support previously promulgated theories attributing death to a bacterial sepsis syndrome seeded from the pustules or immune complex deposition. In a future outbreak, antibiotic therapy would minimally influence mortality.