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'Bioluminescent' Reporter Phage for the Detection of Category A Bacterial Pathogens
Published on: July 8, 2011
[The plague]
1Laboratoire des Yersinia, Institut Pasteur, 28, rue du Docteur-Roux, 75724 Paris, France. carniel2@pasteur.fr
Comptes Rendus Biologies
|October 24, 2002
Summary
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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