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PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Aug 2020Yersinia pestis, the bacterial causative agent of plague, remains an important threat to human health. Plague is a rodent-borne disease that has historically shown an... (Review)
Review
Yersinia pestis, the bacterial causative agent of plague, remains an important threat to human health. Plague is a rodent-borne disease that has historically shown an outstanding ability to colonize and persist across different species, habitats, and environments while provoking sporadic cases, outbreaks, and deadly global epidemics among humans. Between September and November 2017, an outbreak of urban pneumonic plague was declared in Madagascar, which refocused the attention of the scientific community on this ancient human scourge. Given recent trends and plague's resilience to control in the wild, its high fatality rate in humans without early treatment, and its capacity to disrupt social and healthcare systems, human plague should be considered as a neglected threat. A workshop was held in Paris in July 2018 to review current knowledge about plague and to identify the scientific research priorities to eradicate plague as a human threat. It was concluded that an urgent commitment is needed to develop and fund a strong research agenda aiming to fill the current knowledge gaps structured around 4 main axes: (i) an improved understanding of the ecological interactions among the reservoir, vector, pathogen, and environment; (ii) human and societal responses; (iii) improved diagnostic tools and case management; and (iv) vaccine development. These axes should be cross-cutting, translational, and focused on delivering context-specific strategies. Results of this research should feed a global control and prevention strategy within a "One Health" approach.
Topics: Animals; Disease Outbreaks; Disease Reservoirs; Humans; Insect Vectors; Madagascar; Neglected Diseases; Plague; Rodentia; Siphonaptera; Yersinia pestis
PubMed: 32853251
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008251 -
Clinical Microbiology and Infection :... Nov 2016Plague, a deadly zoonose caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, has been firmly documented in 39 historical burial sites in Eurasia that date from the Bronze Age to... (Review)
Review
Plague, a deadly zoonose caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, has been firmly documented in 39 historical burial sites in Eurasia that date from the Bronze Age to two historical pandemics spanning the 6th to 18th centuries. Palaeomicrobiologic data, including gene and spacer sequences, whole genome sequences and protein data, confirmed that two historical pandemics swept over Europe from probable Asian sources and possible two-way-ticket journeys back from Europe to Asia. These investigations made it possible to address questions regarding the potential sources and routes of transmission by completing the standard rodent and rodent-flea transmission scheme. This suggested that plague was transmissible by human ectoparasites such as lice, and that Y. pestis was able to persist for months in the soil, which is a source of reinfection for burrowing mammals. The analyses of seven complete genome sequences from the Bronze Age indicated that Y. pestis was probably not an ectoparasite-borne pathogen in these populations. Further analyses of 14 genomes indicated that the Justinian pandemic strains may have formed a clade distinct from the one responsible for the second pandemic, spanning in Y. pestis branch 1, which also comprises the third pandemic strains. Further palaeomicrobiologic studies must tightly connect with historical and anthropologic studies to resolve questions regarding the actual sources of plague in ancient populations, alternative routes of transmission and resistance traits. Answering these questions will broaden our understanding of plague epidemiology so we may better face the actuality of this deadly infection in countries where it remains epidemic.
Topics: Asia; DNA; Europe; Evolution, Molecular; History, 15th Century; History, 16th Century; History, 17th Century; History, 18th Century; History, Medieval; Humans; Paleography; Pandemics; Plague; Yersinia pestis
PubMed: 27615720
DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2016.08.031 -
Advances in Experimental Medicine and... 2016Various types of animal models of plague have been developed, including mice, rats, guinea pigs, and nonhuman primates. Studies have indicated that rodent and nonhuman... (Review)
Review
Various types of animal models of plague have been developed, including mice, rats, guinea pigs, and nonhuman primates. Studies have indicated that rodent and nonhuman primate models of pneumonic plague closely resemble the human disease and that the pathologic changes that occur during bubonic plague are very similar in rodents, nonhuman primates, and humans. In this section, the pathological changes caused by Y. pestis in different animal models are described. The bacterium Y. pestis causes deadly plague, whereas the other two closely related enteropathogenic Yersinia species merely cause limited gastrointestinal manifestations. Y. pestis has unique virulence mechanisms that enable it to be a successful flea-borne and highly virulent pathogen. Massive gene losses and inactivation play important roles, as well as the gene acquisitions, in the evolution process of this pathogen. Here, we summarized several newly acquired features of Y. pestis, including the unique lipid A modification, biofilm formation ability, and loss of adhesions for enteric colonization that are realized by gene inactivation and plasminogen activator and F1 capsular that are realized by gene acquisition, which contribute to the unique transmission and pathogenesis of Y. pestis.
Topics: Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Guinea Pigs; Humans; Mice; Plague; Primates; Rats; Virulence; Yersinia pestis
PubMed: 27722864
DOI: 10.1007/978-94-024-0890-4_7 -
The Ulster Medical Journal Sep 2022Humankind has lived with the danger of endemic, epidemic and pandemic disease for thousands of years. The effects of these outbreaks have often devastated human...
Humankind has lived with the danger of endemic, epidemic and pandemic disease for thousands of years. The effects of these outbreaks have often devastated human populations. Sixteen pandemic events causing an estimated 147 million deaths have occurred since the eighth century, The Black Death and the influenza pandemic of 1918-1920 probably having the greatest impact. Animal populations, both wild and domestic, have similarly suffered devastating outbreaks of disease which, on occasions, have translated into serious effects on human health. The deliberate or accidental introduction of animals into virgin areas has given rise to unforeseen disease events occasionally leading to extinction. Similarly, human intent or negligence and the vagaries of nature itself has resulted in ill health and loss of life. This paper describes the history of pandemics, epidemics and disasters, and the attempts to bring them under control.
Topics: Humans; Plague
PubMed: 36474849
DOI: No ID Found -
Integrative Zoology Nov 2021Plague has been known since ancient times as a re-emerging infectious disease, causing considerable socioeconomic burden in regional hotspots. To better understand the...
Plague has been known since ancient times as a re-emerging infectious disease, causing considerable socioeconomic burden in regional hotspots. To better understand the epidemiological cycle of the causative agent of the plague, its potential occurrence, and possible future dispersion, one must carefully consider the taxonomy, distribution, and ecological requirements of reservoir-species in relation either to natural or human-driven changes (e.g. climate change or urbanization). In recent years, the depth of knowledge on species taxonomy and species composition in different landscapes has undergone a dramatic expansion, driven by modern taxonomic methods such as synthetic surveys that take into consideration morphology, genetics, and the ecological setting of captured animals to establish their species identities. Here, we consider the recent taxonomic changes of the rodent species in known plague reservoirs and detail their distribution across the world, with a particular focus on those rodents considered to be keystone host species. A complete checklist of all known plague-infectable vertebrates living in plague foci is provided as a Supporting Information table.
Topics: Animal Distribution; Animals; Disease Reservoirs; Global Health; Plague; Rodentia; Yersinia pestis
PubMed: 33264458
DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12511 -
Medecine Et Maladies Infectieuses Aug 2018After centuries of epidemics and more than a hundred years since the identification of the causative bacterium, very little is known about the plague dynamics in animal... (Review)
Review
After centuries of epidemics and more than a hundred years since the identification of the causative bacterium, very little is known about the plague dynamics in animal reservoirs, vectors and the changing vulnerabilities for humans. The recent plague epidemic in Madagascar in 2017 highlights these gaps existing within the knowledge of the disease dynamics, the factors influencing it, the performance of diagnostic tests and the best recommended treatment. As the eradication of plague will not be possible due to the widespread existence of the bacterium in wildlife, a One Health approach, drawing on animal, human and environmental health disciplines is needed to better control this poverty-related disease. This article focused on the various aspects of the disease for which more tools and better understanding are required to better control the disease in endemic countries.
Topics: Africa; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Asia; Bacterial Vaccines; Disease Outbreaks; Disease Reservoirs; Humans; Insect Bites and Stings; Insect Vectors; Madagascar; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; North America; Plague; Poverty; Rodentia; Siphonaptera; Social Determinants of Health; Yersinia pestis
PubMed: 29773334
DOI: 10.1016/j.medmal.2018.04.393 -
Trends in Microbiology Dec 2016The recent use of next-generation sequencing methods to investigate historical disease outbreaks has provided us with an unprecedented ability to address important and... (Review)
Review
The recent use of next-generation sequencing methods to investigate historical disease outbreaks has provided us with an unprecedented ability to address important and long-standing questions in epidemiology, pathogen evolution, and human history. In this review, we present major findings that illustrate how microbial genomics has provided new insights into the nature and etiology of infectious diseases of historical importance, such as plague, tuberculosis, and leprosy. Sequenced isolates collected from archaeological remains also provide evidence for the timing of historical evolutionary events as well as geographic spread of these pathogens. Elucidating the genomic basis of virulence in historical diseases can provide relevant information on how we can effectively understand the emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases today and in the future.
Topics: Communicable Diseases; DNA, Ancient; Disease Outbreaks; Epidemics; Genome, Bacterial; Genomics; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; History, 19th Century; History, Ancient; Humans; Phylogeny; Plague; Virulence; Yersinia pestis
PubMed: 27618404
DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2016.08.004 -
Bundesgesundheitsblatt,... Jul 2015Yersinia pestis is a highly pathogenic gram-negative bacterium and the causative agent of human plague. In the last 1500 years and during three dreaded pandemics,... (Review)
Review
Yersinia pestis is a highly pathogenic gram-negative bacterium and the causative agent of human plague. In the last 1500 years and during three dreaded pandemics, millions of people became victims of Justinian's plague, the Black Death, or modern plague. Today, Y. pestis is endemic in natural foci of Asian, African and American countries. Due to its broad dissemination in mammal species and fleas, eradication of the pathogen will not be possible in the near future. In fact, plague is currently classified as a "re-emerging disease". Infection may occur after the bite of an infected flea, but also after oral ingestion or inhalation of the pathogen. The clinical presentations comprise the bubonic and pneumonic form, septicemia, rarely pharyngitis, and meningitis. Most human cases can successfully be treated with antibiotics. However, the high transmission rate and lethality of pneumonic plague require international and mandatory case notification and quarantine of patients. Rapid diagnosis, therapy and barrier nursing are not only crucial for the individual patient but also for the prevention of further spread of the pathogen or of epidemics. Therefore, WHO emergency schedules demand the isolation of cases, identification and surveillance of contacts as well as control of zoonotic reservoir animals and vectors. These sanctions and effective antibiotic treatment usually allow a rapid containment of outbreaks. However, multiple antibiotic resistant strains of Y. pestis have been isolated from patients in the past. So far, no outbreaks with such strains have been reported.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Humans; Incidence; Pandemics; Plague; Quarantine; Risk Factors; Survival Rate
PubMed: 25963643
DOI: 10.1007/s00103-015-2167-9 -
Advances in Experimental Medicine and... 2016Y. pestis exhibits dramatically different traits of pathogenicity and transmission, albeit their close genetic relationship with its ancestor-Y. pseudotuberculosis, a... (Review)
Review
Y. pestis exhibits dramatically different traits of pathogenicity and transmission, albeit their close genetic relationship with its ancestor-Y. pseudotuberculosis, a self-limiting gastroenteric pathogen. Y. pestis is evolved into a deadly pathogen and transmitted to mammals and/or human beings by infected flea biting or directly contacting with the infected animals. Various kinds of environmental changes are implicated into its complex life cycle and pathogenesis. Dynamic regulation of gene expression is critical for environmental adaptation or survival, primarily reflected by genetic regulation mediated by transcriptional factors and small regulatory RNAs at the transcriptional and posttranscriptional level, respectively. The effects of genetic regulation have been shown to profoundly influence Y. pestis physiology and pathogenesis such as stress resistance, biofilm formation, intracellular survival, and replication. In this chapter, we mainly summarize the progresses on popular methods of genetic regulation and on regulatory patterns and consequences of many key transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulators, with a particular emphasis on how genetic regulation influences the biofilm and virulence of Y. pestis.
Topics: Animals; Biofilms; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; Humans; Plague; RNA, Bacterial; Transcription Factors; Transcription, Genetic; Virulence; Yersinia pestis
PubMed: 27722865
DOI: 10.1007/978-94-024-0890-4_8 -
Integrative Zoology Nov 2021Plague, caused by the Yersinia pestis bacterium, has several foci scattered throughout a large area from the Brazilian territory that ranges from the Northeastern State... (Review)
Review
Plague, caused by the Yersinia pestis bacterium, has several foci scattered throughout a large area from the Brazilian territory that ranges from the Northeastern State of Ceará to the Southeastern State of Minas Gerais and another separated area at the State of Rio de Janeiro. This review gathers data from plague control and surveillance programs on the occurrence and geographic distribution of rodent hosts and flea vectors in the Brazilian plague areas during the period of from 1952 to 2019. Furthermore, we discuss how the interaction between Y. pestis and some rodent host species may play a role in the disease dynamics. The absence of human cases nowadays in Brazil does not mean that it was eradicated. The dynamics of plague in Brazil and in other countries where it was introduced during the 3rd pandemic are quite alike, alternating epidemics with decades of quiescence. Hence, it remains an important epidemic disease of global concern. The existence of a large animal reservoir and competent vectors demonstrate a need for continuous surveillance to prevent new outbreaks of this disease in humans.
Topics: Animals; Brazil; Humans; Insect Vectors; Plague; Rodentia; Siphonaptera; Yersinia pestis; Zoonoses
PubMed: 32776421
DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12480