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[Pulmonic plague]
P Hovette1, P R Burgel, P Camara
1Services Médicaux, Hôpital Principal de Dakar, Sénégal.
Abstract:
One hundred years after Yersin discovered Yersinia pestis during the plague epidemic in Hong Kong in 1894, human plague still has not been eliminated. The epidemic in 1994 in India, a country where no cases had been observed since 1996, raised great concern. Plague is an epizootic bacterial infection caused by a Gram negative coccobacillus, Y. pestis, transmitted by the bite of infected fleas. Bubonic plague is the most common form. Other clinical presentations include asymptomatic plague, abortive plague, pharyngeal plague, septicemic plague, meningeal plague, and primary or secondary pneumonic plague which is observed in 5 to 20% of cases. Plague is a highly communicable disease between humans despite antibiotic therapy which has reduced mortality by 80%. The prognosis depends on early diagnosis. Streptomycin and cyclines are the gold standard treatment.
Insights
Human plague, caused by Yersinia pestis, remains a global concern despite antibiotic treatments. Early diagnosis and treatments like streptomycin are crucial for survival, as plague can be highly communicable.
Area of Science:
- Bacteriology
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Context:
- Yersinia pestis, discovered in 1894, causes plague, a disease that persists globally.
- Recent outbreaks, such as in India in 1994, highlight the continued threat of human plague.
- Plague is an epizootic bacterial infection transmitted by fleas, with Yersinia pestis being the causative agent.
Purpose:
- To underscore the ongoing challenge of eliminating human plague.
- To emphasize the diverse clinical presentations of plague.
- To highlight the importance of early diagnosis and current treatment standards.
Summary:
- Plague is a communicable bacterial infection caused by Yersinia pestis, presenting in various forms including bubonic, septicemic, and pneumonic.
- Despite antibiotic therapies reducing mortality by 80%, human plague has not been eradicated.
- Effective treatment relies on early diagnosis, with streptomycin and cyclines being the standard therapies.
Impact:
- Reinforces the need for continued vigilance and research in plague prevention and control.
- Stresses the public health significance of Yersinia pestis infections.
- Underscores the critical role of timely medical intervention in managing plague outcomes.