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Antimicrobial therapies administrated during the Third Plague Pandemic in Europe
Carlotta Mazzanti1, Nicoletta Zedda1, Barbara Bramanti1
1Department of Environmental and Prevention Sciences, University of Ferrara, Italy.
Abstract:
Plague raged in Europe for over 1400 years and was responsible for three major pandemics. Today, plague still poses a serious threat to global public health and surveillance is imperative. Plague is still present in natural reservoirs on several continents, including Africa, Asia and the Americas, and sometimes causes local cases and epidemics. The Third Plague Pandemic caused millions of deaths worldwide, including in Europe. Plague arrived in Europe in the autumn of 1896 mostly through maritime trade routes, where it spread with several epidemic events until 1945, when, in the port city of Taranto, the last known outbreak was recorded. In this paper, we present an overview of the natural history and pathogenicity of Yersinia pestis, the bacterium responsible for plague, its spread from Asia to Europe during the Third Pandemic, and the therapies used to treat and prevent the disease in Europe, with particular focus on the case of Taranto. In Taranto, the Pasteur Institute's antiserum antimicrobial therapy, and vaccination were used to treat and stop the advance of the bacterium, with mixed results.
Insights
Plague, caused by Yersinia pestis, remains a global threat. This study reviews its history, spread during the Third Pandemic, and European treatments, focusing on Taranto
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Epidemiology
- History of Medicine
Background:
- Plague has caused three major pandemics in Europe over 1400 years.
- Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague, persists in global reservoirs, posing an ongoing public health risk.
- The Third Plague Pandemic (1896-1945) significantly impacted Europe, with the last recorded outbreak in Taranto.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of Yersinia pestis' natural history and pathogenicity.
- To detail the spread of plague from Asia to Europe during the Third Pandemic.
- To examine plague treatment and prevention strategies in Europe, with a specific focus on Taranto.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of plague's historical epidemiology.
- Analysis of Yersinia pestis characteristics and transmission dynamics.
- Examination of therapeutic interventions during the Third Pandemic in Europe.
Main Results:
- Yersinia pestis spread via maritime routes, leading to widespread European epidemics.
- Therapeutic interventions in Taranto included antiserum antimicrobial therapy and vaccination.
- Treatment outcomes in Taranto were mixed, highlighting challenges in controlling plague.
Conclusions:
- Plague surveillance remains critical due to persistent natural reservoirs.
- Understanding plague's historical spread and treatment is essential for contemporary public health.
- The case of Taranto illustrates the complexities of managing plague outbreaks.
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