necropsy findings as a post mortem diagnostic technique for transmissible diseases

Zoonoses are considered as diseases transmissible between human and animal and can cause severe reactions in human, leading to high death. to date, significant effort has been made in prevention and treatment of zoonotic diseases. however, due to infectious nature of zoonotic diseases, their complete eradication presents a challenge. as zoonotic infections result in a wide range of diseases and death, necropsy is an important procedure for its diagnostic investigations. this article highlights four of the most important zoonoses, leishmaniasis, rabies, anthrax and glander. leishmaniasis can affect various organs of body and induces lesions and ulceration. rabies can be transmitted by dog bites and nervous system is its main target. anthrax has three primary forms (cutaneous, alimentary tract and inhalational) with high incidence of significant pathological lesions seen at necropsy. sores on nasal mucosa, nodules on skin of abdomen and lower arm can be seen in glander. the necropsy findings of aforementioned zoonotic diseases are discussed in the current review to provide scientific guidelines for their diagnosis and exerting preventive measures to control them. keywords: necropsy findings, anthrax, leishmaniasis, rabies, glander