Inheritance vs. infectivity as a mechanism of malady and death of Frederic Chopin

J Appl Genet. 2021 Dec;62(4):607-611. doi: 10.1007/s13353-021-00651-2. Epub 2021 Aug 4.

Abstract

Based on a macroscopic analysis of the heart of Frederic Chopin performed in 2014, it can be stated with high probability that the composer suffered from a long lasting tuberculosis as a primary disease, which was the cause of progressive deterioration of his physical condition and numerous symptoms mainly from the respiratory tract. Tuberculous pericarditis rapidly progressing within a rather short period of time, a relatively rare complication of diffuse tuberculosis, might have been an immediate cause of death. This would aptly coincide with a startling opinion that in an autopsy picture the composer's heart had been more affected by the disease than the lungs.

Keywords: Chopin; Cystic fibrosis; Heart; Pericarditis; Tuberculosis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Famous Persons*
  • Humans
  • Music*
  • Tuberculosis*