Plague

Question 1

Answer the following questions about the bacteria that causes Plague disease:
Genus and species name
Gram reaction of bacteria
Cell shape
Does this bacteria produce spores?
Can this bacteria reproduce in macrophages?
What is unusual about the staining properties of this bacteria?
What is the virulence factor of this bacteria in humans?

Answer 1

Genus and species name: Yersinia pestis
Gram reaction of bacteria: G-
Cell shape: Bacillus
Does this bacteria produce spores? non-spore
Can this bacteria reproduce in macrophages? yes
What is unusual about the staining properties of this bacteria?bipolar staining( safety pin)
What is the virulence factor of this bacteria in humans?

Question 2

According to theories, when and how did Plague reach the Americas?

Answer 2

In 1900, Plague came to America via rats aboard ships coming to San Francisco

Question 3

What is the biological vector for Plague and what is the affect of Plague on the vector?

Answer 3

Fleas, Clots the blood and traps organism in flea stomach

Question 4

Does the biological vector always die as a carrier of Plague bacteria?

Answer 4

not always. It can be more fatal for prairie dogs, cats, and most rats

Question 5

At what temperature can plague bacteria form coagulase?

Answer 5

27*c or below

Question 6

Can plague bacteria be transmitted person to person through contaminated air droplets?

Answer 6

pneumonic plague can be transmitted via respiratory droplets/ coughing
Highly contagious
The bacteria can aerosolize, or float in the air, for quite a while**

Question 7

Why is plague known as the Black Death (what form of human plague does this disease name refer to)?

Answer 7

Due to the hemorrhaging that occurs in SEPTICEMIC PLAGUE, its is know as the “Black Death”. The hemorrhaging can occur subcutaneously causing a purple-blue patches: Black DEATh

Question 8

Can plague be found in the wildlife population of Texas?

Answer 8

Yes

Question 9

What animals in the United States serve as a reservoir for plague bacteria?

Answer 9

Rodent carries in USA

wild mice, rabbit, skunks, moles, prairie dogs, rats, rarely cats,

Question 10

Do all animals die from plague infection?

Answer 10

no not all animals die from plague

Question 11

Where is the Four Corners of the USA?

Answer 11

New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado

Question 12

What is the theory as to how plague reached the North America?

Answer 12

Rat jumping ship and swimming to San Francisco

Question 13

What are the 3 forms of human plague?

Answer 13

Bubonic, Systemic, and Pneumonic plague

Question 14

Which form of plague is most deadly?

Answer 14

Pneumonic Plague is most deadly

Question 15

What is a buboe and which form of plague causes buboes?

Answer 15

Bubonic Plague causes buboe, a buboe is a swollen lymph node.

Question 16

What are the clinical symptoms of each form of Plague?

Answer 16

Bubonic Plague: chills, fever, headache, lymph nodes swollen size of an orange
Systemic: Hemorrhaging can occur subcutaneously causing purple-blue patches “black death” can become gangrenous
Pneumonic Plague: severe form of pneumonia, rusty sputum, lungs fill with fluid

Question 17

Is plague contagious person-to-person? If so, what form of human plague is contagious?

Answer 17

Yes. Pneumonic Plague**

Question 18

How prevalent is Plague in the United States? Worldwide?

Answer 18

World wide- 1,700

Western USA- 5-15 average 7

Question 19

Which form of plague would most likely be used in bioterrorism?

Answer 19

Pneumonic Plague

Question 20

Is there a vaccine for plague and is it effective?

Answer 20

there is one available in Vietnam, not very effective

No longer one in the USA

Question 21

What is the treatment for plague?

Answer 21

treatment needs to begin withing 24hrs
Streptomycin injected early has potential to reduce death rate to 5-17%
Cipro/tetracycline

Question 22

Is there immunity after recovery from Plague infection?

Answer 22

immunity to reinfection, not permanent

reinfection is possible