Pleuropneumonia is a medical condition characterized by inflammation of the lungs and the lining of the chest wall. The word is spelled as pleuro (ploo-roh) - referring to the pleura, the lining of the chest wall, and pneumonia (noo-moh-nee-uh) - meaning inflammation of the lungs. The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) phonetic transcription of the word is [plʊərəʊnjuːˈməʊnɪə]. Although the spelling of the word may appear daunting, its phonetic transcription can help in understanding its pronunciation and etymology. Pleuropneumonia is mostly caused by bacteria and can be treated with antibiotics.
Pleuropneumonia, also known as pleuropulmonary disease, is a medical condition characterized by inflammation and infection of the pleura and lung tissue. The pleura is a thin membrane that surrounds and protects the lungs, while pneumonia refers to the inflammation and infection of the lungs.
Typically caused by bacterial pathogens such as Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae or Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, pleuropneumonia primarily affects domesticated animals, particularly pigs, although cases in humans have been reported in rare instances. The infection can spread rapidly within a herd or population through direct contact or inhalation of respiratory droplets containing the pathogen.
Common symptoms of pleuropneumonia include coughing, sneezing, difficulty in breathing, fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, and chest pain. In severe cases, it can lead to complications such as pleural effusions, lung abscesses, and respiratory distress.
Diagnosis of pleuropneumonia often involves a thorough physical examination, evaluation of clinical symptoms, and diagnostic tests such as blood tests, chest radiographs, and laboratory analyses of pleural fluid or lung tissue samples. Treatment typically involves a course of antibiotics specific to the identified pathogen, supportive care to manage symptoms, and in severe cases, hospitalization may be required.
Prevention strategies for pleuropneumonia include practicing good hygiene, maintaining proper ventilation, implementing strict biosecurity measures, and vaccination programs, especially for animals at higher risk.
1. Lobar pneumonia. 2. A specific infectious disease in cattle, characterized by inflammation of the lungs and pleura.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "pleuropneumonia" can be broken down into two parts: "pleuro-" and "pneumonia".
The prefix "pleuro-" comes from the Greek word "pleura", which means "side" or "rib". In medical terms, "pleura" refers to the serous membrane that lines the thoracic cavity and covers the lungs.
The term "pneumonia" itself comes from the Greek word "pneumōn" meaning "lung". It is a combination of "pneuma"--meaning "breath" or "air"--and the suffix "-ia", which denotes a condition or disease.
When combined, "pleuropneumonia" describes an inflammation of both the lung tissue and the pleura, usually caused by an infection.