Yersinia pestis

Question 1

Specifics

Answer 1

PLAGUE (the black death)- can be weaponized
travels in proventriculus of fleas of wild rodent
John Graunt- first epidemiology to study plague
Pathogenesis: fleas feed on host–> bacT block proventriculus and contaminates feed site–> bacteria killed due to PMNs and inflammation–> some survive a 37 *C in macrophages and induce apoptosis (T3ss, Gsr)–> secrete antiphagocytic/ antiinflammatory proteins–> extracellular survival (capsule/sidephores)

Question 2

Yersinia pestis in humans CS

Answer 2

bubonic- local lymphadenitis
pneumonic- pneumonia
septicemic- septicemia

Question 3

Yersinia pestis dx and tx

Answer 3

culture, PCR, serology

Antibiotics are rare for resistance

Question 4

Yersinia pestis in cats CS

Answer 4

fever, depression, sneezing, coughing, CNS
lymphandenitis, tonsilitis, CN/CV, edema, pneumonia
mortality

Question 5

Yersinia pestis virulence factors and transmission

Answer 5

capsule, toxins, iron acquisition, located on plasmid 1

transmission- fleas, airborne, oral

Question 6

Yersinia pestis epidemiology humans

Answer 6

Western USA, S/W Africa, N/Central S. America
in warm months more prevalent
sylvatic for rural/wild animals, NEED RODENTS

Question 7

Yersinia pestis epidemiology cats

Answer 7

after ingestion of wild prey