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Study of suspected plague cases for isolation and identification of Yersinia pestis

S R Gaval1, S N Shrikhande, S K Makhija

  • 1Dept. of Microbiology, Govt. Medical College and Hospital Nagpur.

Indian Journal of Medical Sciences
|December 1, 1996
PubMed

Insights

This study investigated 62 suspected plague patients for Yersinia pestis. Despite multiple diagnostic methods, no evidence of plague infection was found in any patient samples.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Plague, caused by Yersinia pestis, is a serious zoonotic disease with potential for rapid spread.
  • Accurate and timely diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and public health response.
  • Diagnostic challenges can arise in distinguishing plague from other febrile illnesses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence of Yersinia pestis in suspected plague patients.
  • To evaluate the utility of various diagnostic methods for plague detection in a clinical setting.
  • To analyze the reasons for negative diagnostic results in a cohort of suspected cases.

Main Methods:

  • Blood, lymph node aspirate, and sputum cultures were performed.
  • Animal inoculation studies were conducted.
  • Serological testing for Yersinia pestis f1 antibodies was utilized.

Main Results:

  • All 62 suspected patients yielded negative results across all tested methods.
  • Direct smear examination and cultures for Yersinia pestis were consistently negative.
  • Serological analysis for f1 antibodies also showed no positive findings.

Conclusions:

  • The study found no laboratory-confirmed cases of plague in the investigated cohort.
  • The non-positivity of cultures and serology warrants further discussion regarding diagnostic sensitivity and potential alternative diagnoses.
  • Further research may be needed to understand the implications of these negative findings in suspected plague cases.

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