Non-clinical sciences/Pathology · Inflammation

Chronic inflammation

What it means

Persistent inflammation (weeks–years) with lymphocytes, plasma cells and macrophages; tissue destruction and repair occur together → fibrosis. Causes: persistent infection (TB), autoimmunity (RA), prolonged irritant/foreign material. May follow unresolved acute inflammation or arise de novo.

Worked example

Rheumatoid synovium and a TB granuloma are chronic inflammation with lymphocytes, plasma cells and fibrosis.

In the exam

A long-standing inflamed tissue shows lymphocytes, plasma cells and macrophages with ongoing fibrosis rather than neutrophils.

What settles it

Chronic = mononuclear cells + fibrosis (lasting); acute = neutrophils + exudate (hours–days).

Classically confused with

Acute inflammation

Source: StatPearls