What is a common cause of death in plague patients?

A common cause of death in plague patients is disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and respiratory distress. The plague, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, can lead to severe complications, particularly in its pneumonic form. In such cases, the infection can provoke a strong inflammatory response, resulting in DIC where the blood clotting process is disrupted, leading to clot formation in small blood vessels. This can cause multiple complications, including respiratory distress as the lungs are affected.

Respiratory distress is significant not only due to pneumonia caused by the bacteria but also from potential septicemia, where the infection enters the bloodstream, overwhelming the body’s ability to maintain normal function. Therefore, the combination of DIC and respiratory distress presents a lethal scenario for patients suffering from severe forms of plague, illustrating why they are significant contributors to mortality in these cases.