Plague

Abstract

Bubonic plague is an often fulminant systemic zoonosis, caused by Yersinia pestis. Conventional microbiology, bacterial population genetics, and genome sequence data, all suggest that Y pestis is a recently evolved clone of the enteric pathogen Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. The genetic basis of this organism's rapid adaptation to its insect vector (the flea) with transmission between mammalian hosts by novel subcutaneous and pneumonic routes of infection is becoming clearer. This transition provides a paradigm for the way in which new pathogens could emerge. Plague in humans is controlled by suppression of rodent reservoir hosts and their fleas and by early detection and treatment of cases of disease. Detection systems for plague in non-endemic regions might now be needed because of a bioterrorism threat. Rapid diagnostic tests are available and a subunit vaccine is in clinical trials.

Cytotoxic Necrotizing Factor-Y Boosts Yersinia Effector Translocation by Activating Rac Protein

“…Rho GTPbinding proteins appear to constitute one way of control based on findings that inhibition of Rho and Rac in cells can block Yop translocation (1,42,44). Here we provide evidence that the Rho GTP-binding protein activator CNF-Y strongly increases Yop translocation.…”

“…Yersinia pestis is the causative agent of bubonic plague, and the enteropathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis elicit acute enteritis and enteric lymphadenitis (1,2). After oral ingestion, the enteropathogenic Yersinia spp.…”

Dioxygenases in Burkholderia ambifaria and Yersinia pestis that hydroxylate the outer Kdo unit of lipopolysaccharide

“…Yersinia pestis causes "Bubonic Plague" in humans (9). These important Gram-negative pathogens synthesize an unusual isosteric analog of Kdo, known as D-glycero-D-talo-oct-2-ulosonic acid (Ko) (10)(11)(12)(13)(14) in which the axial hydrogen atom at the 3-position of the outer Kdo unit is replaced with an OH group (10) (Fig.…”

Treatment of Neuroterrorism

“…Unlike anthrax, secondary cases may result from person-to-person transmission [10], however this requires close contact with a patient during the final stage of the illness [39]. Experts believe that the danger of terrorists using this organism may be greatly exaggerated [40].…”