Plague: Recognition, Treatment, and Prevention

J Clin Microbiol. 2017 Dec 26;56(1):e01519-17. doi: 10.1128/JCM.01519-17. Print 2018 Jan.

Abstract

Plague is caused by Yersinia pestis and is not commonly encountered in clinics, although natural plague foci are widely distributed around the world. Y. pestis has been listed as a category A bioterrorism agent. A neglected diagnosis will cause severe consequences. Therefore, this minireview briefly introduces the current understanding on Y. pestis and then focuses on practical aspects of plague, including clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, to alert clinicians about this notorious disease.

Keywords: Yersinia pestis; clinical; diagnosis; plague; prevention; treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Biological Warfare Agents
  • Humans
  • Microbiological Techniques
  • Plague* / diagnosis
  • Plague* / drug therapy
  • Plague* / prevention & control
  • Plague* / transmission
  • Rodentia / microbiology
  • Siphonaptera / microbiology
  • Yersinia pestis / drug effects
  • Yersinia pestis / growth & development
  • Yersinia pestis / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Biological Warfare Agents