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[The plague]

Elisabeth Carniel1

  • 1Laboratoire des Yersinia, Institut Pasteur, 28, rue du Docteur-Roux, 75724 Paris, France. carniel2@pasteur.fr

Comptes Rendus Biologies
|October 24, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Plague remains a devastating and re-emerging infectious disease, primarily affecting rodents and transmitted by fleas. Despite advances, effective vaccines are unavailable, and antibiotic resistance is a growing concern.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Public Health

Context:

  • Plague is a historically devastating zoonotic disease caused by Yersinia pestis.
  • It persists globally, particularly in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, posing a re-emerging threat.
  • Rodents are the primary reservoir, with transmission to humans occurring mainly through flea bites.

Purpose:

  • To summarize the current status and challenges of plague management.
  • To highlight the clinical manifestations and transmission routes of plague.
  • To underscore the need for improved prevention and treatment strategies.

Summary:

  • Plague manifests primarily as bubonic (flea-transmitted) and pneumonic (droplet-transmitted) forms, both potentially lethal without prompt treatment.
  • Yersinia pestis, the causative agent, is generally antibiotic-sensitive, but multi-resistant strains have emerged.
  • Current challenges include the lack of effective vaccines and the emergence of antibiotic resistance.

Impact:

  • Plague remains a significant public health concern due to its high fatality rates and potential for rapid spread.
  • The emergence of multi-drug resistant strains necessitates urgent development of new therapeutic and prophylactic measures.
  • Understanding plague's epidemiology and transmission is crucial for effective control and prevention strategies, especially given its potential use in biological warfare.

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