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Y Pestis Research Paper

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Y Pestis Research Paper
Y pestis is the causative agent of the bubonic plague. An infectious disease which has claimed the lives of millions of people across the globe. The purpose of this essay is to give a brief overview of the history of the plague and epidemiology, to discuss both the microbial characteristics and virulence of Y.pestis, and the way in which it is transmitted. This essay will also discuss and compare the different forms of the plague and the ways in which it is currently diagnosed and treated.
Three major plague pandemics have occurred throughout history. The first originated in Africa in the 6th century and claimed the lives of one hundred million people within 60 years. The second pandemic, known as ‘The Black Death’ began in the14th century and killed up to one quarter of Europe’s population. The final pandemic in 1860 began in China and was transmitted via infected rats on steamships to port cities over the following 20 years.
Y pestis is a gram negative, facultative anaerobic rod shaped bacterium that has the ability to enter and live inside of host cells (Tucker, 2010) It is non motile and typically grows at 35-37C.
Y pestis survives as a result of disease transmission within animal reservoirs, particularly rodents. Transmission occurs as a result of the differing resistance levels …show more content…
The bubonic plague has an incubation time of 2-6 days. It is diagnosed by an enlargement of the lymph nodes; mainly in the neck, groin, or armpits. This is accompanied by extreme exhaustion, fever, confusion and headaches. Whilst Y pestis is present in the nodes, it avoids the immune system response and replication ensues resulting in extreme swelling of the lymph nodes. As the plague progresses the bacteria move into the bloodstream and can result in death by endotoxic shock due to the large numbers of bacilli in the blood. According to the World Health Organisation, death occurs in 50-70% of untreated cases
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