Pneumonic plague overview: Difference between revisions
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Pneumonic plague, a severe type of lung infection, is one of three main forms of [[Plague (disease)|plague]], all of which are caused by the [[bacterium]] ''[[Yersinia pestis]]''. It is more [[virulent]] and rare than [[bubonic plague]]. The difference between the versions of plague is simply the location of the infection in the body; the bubonic plague is an infection of the lymphatic system, the pneumonic plague is an infection of the respiratory system, and the septicemic plague is an infection in the blood stream. | Pneumonic plague, a severe type of lung infection, is one of three main forms of [[Plague (disease)|plague]], all of which are caused by the [[bacterium]] ''[[Yersinia pestis]]''. It is more [[virulent]] and rare than [[bubonic plague]]. The difference between the versions of plague is simply the location of the infection in the body; the bubonic plague is an infection of the lymphatic system, the pneumonic plague is an infection of the respiratory system, and the septicemic plague is an infection in the blood stream. | ||
==Pathophysiology== | |||
Pneumonic plague can be caused in two ways: primary, which results from the inhalation of aerosolised plague [[bacteria]], or secondary, when [[septicemic plague]] spreads into [[lung]] tissue from the bloodstream. Pneumonic plague is not exclusively [http://www.ciesin.columbia.edu/TG/HH/veclev2.html vector-borne] like bubonic plague; instead it can be spread from person to person. There have been cases of pneumonic plague resulting from the dissection or handling of contaminated animal tissue. This is one type of the formerly known [[Black Death]].<ref>{{cite book | title=The Black Death, 1346-1353: the complete history | first=Ole Jørgen | last=Benedictow | publisher=Boydell & Brewer | year=2004 | isbn=0-85115-943-5 | pages=27–28 }}</ref> It could kill 90%–95% of a population if the victims coughed and passed on the bacteria. | |||
==Epidemiology and Demographics== | |||
Since 2002, the [[World Health Organization]] (WHO) has reported seven plague outbreaks, though some may go unreported because they often happen in remote areas. Between 1998 and 2009, nearly 24,000 cases have been reported, including about 2,000 deaths, in [[Africa]], [[Asia]], the Americas and Eastern [[Europe]]. 98 percent of the world's cases occur in Africa. | |||
==Natural History, Complications and Prognosis== | |||
The pneumonia progresses for two to four days and may cause respiratory failure and [[Shock (circulatory)|shock]]. Patients will die without early treatment, some within 36 hours. Pneumonic plague is a very aggressive infection requiring early treatment. The mortality rate from untreated pneumonic plague approaches 100%. | |||
==Treatment== | |||
===Medical Therapy=== | |||
Antibiotics must be given within 24 hours of first symptoms to reduce the risk of death.<ref name="CDC">[http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/plague/factsheet.asp Facts about Pneumonic Plague (Center for Disease Control, 2004)]</ref> [[Streptomycin]], [[gentamicin]], [[tetracycline antibiotics|tetracyclines]], and [[chloramphenicol]] are all effective against pneumonic plague. Antibiotic treatment for 7 days will protect people who have had direct, close contact with infected patients. Wearing a close-fitting surgical mask also protects against infection. | |||
===Future and Investigational Therapies=== | |||
The main investigational technique being looked into is that of a vaccine to stop any possible plague outbreaks. Currently, there is not an available vaccine against the plague, particularly the pneumonic version. This all may be changing because there has been research conducted giving promising results for a vaccine against the pneumonic plague. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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[[Category:Bacterial diseases]] | [[Category:Bacterial diseases]] | ||
[[Category:Epidemics]] | [[Category:Epidemics]] | ||
[[Category:Pandemics]] | [[Category:Pandemics]] | ||
Latest revision as of 18:45, 18 September 2017
Template:Pneumonic plague Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Pneumonic plague, a severe type of lung infection, is one of three main forms of plague, all of which are caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. It is more virulent and rare than bubonic plague. The difference between the versions of plague is simply the location of the infection in the body; the bubonic plague is an infection of the lymphatic system, the pneumonic plague is an infection of the respiratory system, and the septicemic plague is an infection in the blood stream.
Pathophysiology
Pneumonic plague can be caused in two ways: primary, which results from the inhalation of aerosolised plague bacteria, or secondary, when septicemic plague spreads into lung tissue from the bloodstream. Pneumonic plague is not exclusively vector-borne like bubonic plague; instead it can be spread from person to person. There have been cases of pneumonic plague resulting from the dissection or handling of contaminated animal tissue. This is one type of the formerly known Black Death.[1] It could kill 90%–95% of a population if the victims coughed and passed on the bacteria.
Epidemiology and Demographics
Since 2002, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported seven plague outbreaks, though some may go unreported because they often happen in remote areas. Between 1998 and 2009, nearly 24,000 cases have been reported, including about 2,000 deaths, in Africa, Asia, the Americas and Eastern Europe. 98 percent of the world's cases occur in Africa.
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
The pneumonia progresses for two to four days and may cause respiratory failure and shock. Patients will die without early treatment, some within 36 hours. Pneumonic plague is a very aggressive infection requiring early treatment. The mortality rate from untreated pneumonic plague approaches 100%.
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Antibiotics must be given within 24 hours of first symptoms to reduce the risk of death.[2] Streptomycin, gentamicin, tetracyclines, and chloramphenicol are all effective against pneumonic plague. Antibiotic treatment for 7 days will protect people who have had direct, close contact with infected patients. Wearing a close-fitting surgical mask also protects against infection.
Future and Investigational Therapies
The main investigational technique being looked into is that of a vaccine to stop any possible plague outbreaks. Currently, there is not an available vaccine against the plague, particularly the pneumonic version. This all may be changing because there has been research conducted giving promising results for a vaccine against the pneumonic plague.
References
- ↑ Benedictow, Ole Jørgen (2004). The Black Death, 1346-1353: the complete history. Boydell & Brewer. pp. 27–28. ISBN 0-85115-943-5.
- ↑ Facts about Pneumonic Plague (Center for Disease Control, 2004)