THE TAKEAWAY
This case points to the importance of a complete, systematic approach to each patient. While bubonic plague is not a diagnosis that would immediately come to mind in a patient visiting an emergency department in Michigan, a thorough history revealed a recent trip to a bubonic plague–endemic area. A thorough physical exam demonstrated unilateral painful inguinal adenopathy—which, when paired with the patient’s history—was consistent with the uncommon diagnosis of bubonic plague.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors thank Brian Waite, MD, and James Addison, MD, for critically revising this report for important intellectual content.
CORRESPONDENCE
Katherine Lazet, DO, 3838 N First Avenue, Evansville, IN 47710; lazetkat@gmail.com