Yersinia pestis – Overview and Treatment Insights

When studying Yersinia pestis, a Gram‑negative bacterium that causes plague. Also known as plague bacillus, it spreads mainly through flea bites and can trigger rapid, life‑threatening infection in humans and animals.

The disease plague, an acute infection marked by fever, painful swollen lymph nodes (buboes), and sometimes pneumonia demands prompt medical action. Early diagnosis relies on blood cultures, rapid PCR tests, and a clear travel or exposure history. Once confirmed, levofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone that quickly penetrates bacterial cells is often the drug of choice because it reaches high concentrations in lung tissue and bloodstream, essential for both bubonic and pneumonic forms. doxycycline, a tetracycline that inhibits protein synthesis in Y. pestis serves as a reliable alternative, especially when fluoroquinolone resistance is a concern. Both agents are administered intravenously for severe cases, then switched to oral forms to complete a 10‑14‑day course. Monitoring kidney function, liver enzymes, and potential side‑effects such as tendon inflammation (with levofloxacin) or photosensitivity (with doxycycline) ensures safe therapy.

Beyond antibiotics, supportive care—including fluid resuscitation, oxygen therapy, and fever control—plays a vital role in patient recovery. Public‑health measures focus on vector control, rodent surveillance, and rapid isolation of suspected cases to curb outbreaks. While no widely approved vaccine exists, experimental candidates target the F1 capsule antigen of Y. pestis, aiming to boost immunity in high‑risk populations. The articles below dive deeper into medication comparisons, side‑effect profiles, and practical tips for clinicians and patients dealing with plague‑related treatments, giving you a well‑rounded view of how modern medicine tackles this ancient threat.