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Plague is caused by infection with the organism Yersinia Pestis. It
is transmitted to man by domestic rats via the rat flea.
Incubation Period: 1 week.
Four clinical forms are recognized:
- Bubonic plague: Which usually presents with general symptoms
of fever, malaise, vomitting. This is followed by lymph gland enlargement
(bubos). The endotoxin of the bacteria leads to bleeding manifestations
which may ultimately lead to shock.
- Pneumonic plague: A fumlinant form of pneumonia with bloody
- Stepticemic plague: Presents with shock and dissiminated intravascular
- Cutaneous plague: Presents with a pulsatile eschar which
later becomes necrotic and gangrenous.
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Examination of lymph node aspirates, sputum or blood films for Yersinia
Streptomycin is the antibiotic of choice. Supportive
therapy for hypertension, shock, DIC.