Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2026
11:31
'Bioluminescent' Reporter Phage for the Detection of Category A Bacterial Pathogens
Published on: July 8, 2011
Perceptions and reactions with regard to pneumonic plague.
G James Rubin1, Richard Amlot, M Brooke Rogers
1King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Psychological Medicine, James Black Centre, 125 Coldharbour Lane, Camberwell, London SE5 9NU, UK. g.rubin@iop.kcl.ac.uk
Emerging Infectious Diseases
|December 25, 2009
Summary
UK adults showed varied responses to a hypothetical pneumonic plague attack. While most would take antimicrobial drugs, fewer would seek treatment, highlighting public perception gaps regarding plague.
Area of Science:
- Public health
- Epidemiology
- Bioterrorism preparedness
Background:
- Pneumonic plague poses a significant bioterrorism threat.
- Understanding public response is crucial for effective emergency planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess UK adults' perceptions of pneumonic plague.
- To evaluate likely public compliance with official recommendations during a bioterrorism event.
Main Methods:
- Survey of 1,005 UK adults regarding a hypothetical pneumonic plague terrorist attack.
- Assessed intentions to comply with public health directives.
Main Results:
- High compliance expected for taking antimicrobial drugs (98%).
- Lower compliance anticipated for visiting treatment centers (76%).
- Public perceptions of plague correlated with intended actions.
Conclusions:
- Public willingness to adhere to medical advice during a pneumonic plague event is mixed.
- Perception management is key to improving response to bioterrorism threats.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Plague
Plague is a highly virulent zoonotic disease caused by Yersinia pestis, a Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic coccobacillus. This pathogen primarily circulates among rodent populations and is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected fleas. Additional transmission routes include direct contact with infected animal tissue or inhalation of respiratory droplets from individuals with pneumonic plague. These multiple transmission pathways highlight the bacterium’s potential for rapid...
01:14Atypical Pneumonia
Atypical pneumonia, often caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is a form of pulmonary infection that differs from the classical presentation of bacterial pneumonia in both its cause and clinical symptoms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pleomorphic bacterium notable for its lack of a rigid cell wall. This structural characteristic imparts resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and significantly influences the bacterium’s behavior within the human host.Other pathogens responsible for the disease include...
01:29Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology
The pathophysiology of pneumonia involves the following steps:
01:30Pneumonia I: Introduction
Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that targets the lungs, specifically the alveoli. These tiny air sacs, essential for oxygen exchange, become engorged with pus and fluid, severely hindering breathing, decreasing oxygen absorption, and causing significant pain and discomfort during respiration.
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
01:29Pneumonia I: Introduction
Pneumonia is an infection of the lower respiratory tract that leads to inflammation of the lung parenchyma, often resulting in the accumulation of inflammatory exudate in the alveoli and airways. Unlike the watery, low-protein fluid exudate in pulmonary edema, the exudate in this case is a thick fluid rich in immune cells, proteins, and debris produced during infection and inflammation.This impairs gas exchange and can lead to consolidation of lung tissue. The infection may be caused by a...
01:30Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment
Pneumonia poses the potential for numerous complications that warrant consideration. These complications include the following: