Plague

Introduction. 

Plague is a serious bacterial infection caused by Yersinia pestis. Plague comes in two clinical forms: bubonic and pneumonic. Plague is a zoonotic disease whose natural reservoir is rodents, particularly rats. Because the end stages of this virulent disease often involves hemorrhaging and tissue death (necrosis), turning parts of the body black, the plague is sometimes referred to as the 'Black Death'. 

Summary

• Cause: Yersinia pestis
• Microscopy: Gram-negative bacilli
• Symptoms: swollen lymph nodes, high fever, bacteremia; pneumonia
• Transmission: Vector (fleas), wild animal or rat reservoir (zoonotic)
• Complications: High mortality if not recognized (e.g. pneumonia and systemic)
• Pathogenesis: killing of phagocytes; immune system evasion; lysis of clots/hemorrhaging
• Treatment: Streptomycin, tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones

References/Links

1. http://www.kcom.edu/faculty/chamberlain/Website/lectures/lecture/plague.htm
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