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PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Nov 2013Plague, a zoonosis caused by Yersinia pestis, is still found in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Madagascar reports almost one third of the cases worldwide. Y. pestis can... (Review)
Review
Plague, a zoonosis caused by Yersinia pestis, is still found in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Madagascar reports almost one third of the cases worldwide. Y. pestis can be encountered in three very different types of foci: urban, rural, and sylvatic. Flea vector and wild rodent host population dynamics are tightly correlated with modulation of climatic conditions, an association that could be crucial for both the maintenance of foci and human plague epidemics. The black rat Rattus rattus, the main host of Y. pestis in Madagascar, is found to exhibit high resistance to plague in endemic areas, opposing the concept of high mortality rates among rats exposed to the infection. Also, endemic fleas could play an essential role in maintenance of the foci. This review discusses recent advances in the understanding of the role of these factors as well as human behavior in the persistence of plague in Madagascar.
Topics: Animals; Madagascar; Plague; Rats; Siphonaptera; Yersinia pestis
PubMed: 24244760
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002382 -
Clinical Medicine & Research Sep 2006
Topics: Disease Outbreaks; History, 21st Century; History, Medieval; Humans; Plague
PubMed: 16988094
DOI: 10.3121/cmr.4.3.161 -
Medical History. Supplement 2008
Review
Topics: Animals; Arthropod Vectors; Epidemics; Humans; Mammals; Plague; Siphonaptera; Terminology as Topic; Yersinia pestis
PubMed: 18575085
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Vector Borne Diseases 2022Fleas (Insecta, Siphonaptera) are important vectors of plague and murine typhus in many parts of the world. Currently, about 2700 flea species were described in the... (Review)
Review
Fleas (Insecta, Siphonaptera) are important vectors of plague and murine typhus in many parts of the world. Currently, about 2700 flea species were described in the world. The most common vector flea Xenopsylla cheopis is found throughout India, but X. astia, and X. brasiliensis are found less and limited in distribution associated with the domestic rats such as Rattus rattus, R. norvegicus, Mus musculus, and Bandicota bengalensis. Bubonic plague is a major flea-borne disease caused by the bacterial pathogen Yersinia pestis, transmitted from rats to humans via the rodent flea, X. cheopis. A major outbreak of plague and high mortality occurred in India. After 1966 with the 3 decadal intervals, plague cases occurred only during the year 1994 reported in 5 different states (Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and New Delhi and subsequently plague cases occurred during 2002 and 2004 after the one-decade interval in Himachal Pradesh (2002). Another outbreak of bubonic plague was reported in Dangud village, Barkhot tehsil, Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand during October 2004. Ctenocephalides fleas are common in cats and dogs, which are the main vectors of bacteria rickettsiae, such as Rickettsia typhi, R. felis, R. conorii, and Bartonella henselae. Molecular and serological evidence also confirms the presence of R. typhi, R. conorii R. felis and B. henselae pathogens in cats and other fleas in India. Flea bites and flea-borne dermatitis are common in men and pet animals. Because of the re-emergence of the plague, updated information on fleas and flea-borne diseases are essential to control the flea vectors and flea-borne diseases in India. Hence, this comprehensive review updates the available information on fleas and fleas transmitted diseases in India.
Topics: Animals; Cats; Dogs; Flea Infestations; Humans; India; Mice; Plague; Public Health; Rats; Siphonaptera
PubMed: 35708399
DOI: 10.4103/0972-9062.328977 -
Clinical Microbiology Reviews Jan 1997Plague is a widespread zoonotic disease that is caused by Yersinia pestis and has had devastating effects on the human population throughout history. Disappearance of... (Review)
Review
Plague is a widespread zoonotic disease that is caused by Yersinia pestis and has had devastating effects on the human population throughout history. Disappearance of the disease is unlikely due to the wide range of mammalian hosts and their attendant fleas. The flea/rodent life cycle of Y. pestis, a gram-negative obligate pathogen, exposes it to very different environmental conditions and has resulted in some novel traits facilitating transmission and infection. Studies characterizing virulence determinants of Y. pestis have identified novel mechanisms for overcoming host defenses. Regulatory systems controlling the expression of some of these virulence factors have proven quite complex. These areas of research have provide new insights into the host-parasite relationship. This review will update our present understanding of the history, etiology, epidemiology, clinical aspects, and public health issues of plague.
Topics: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Animals, Domestic; Animals, Wild; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antigens, Bacterial; Bacterial Toxins; Disease Reservoirs; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; Genes, Bacterial; Global Health; History, 19th Century; History, Ancient; History, Medieval; Humans; Incidence; Insect Vectors; Molecular Sequence Data; Plague; Siphonaptera; United States; Virulence; Yersinia pestis
PubMed: 8993858
DOI: 10.1128/CMR.10.1.35 -
Emerging Infectious Diseases Feb 2019Madagascar is more seriously affected by plague, a zoonosis caused by Yersinia pestis, than any other country. The Plague National Control Program was established in...
Madagascar is more seriously affected by plague, a zoonosis caused by Yersinia pestis, than any other country. The Plague National Control Program was established in 1993 and includes human surveillance. During 1998-2016, a total of 13,234 suspected cases were recorded, mainly from the central highlands; 27% were confirmed cases, and 17% were presumptive cases. Patients with bubonic plague (median age 13 years) represented 93% of confirmed and presumptive cases, and patients with pneumonic plague (median age 29 years) represented 7%. Deaths were associated with delay of consultation, pneumonic form, contact with other cases, occurrence after 2009, and not reporting dead rats. A seasonal pattern was observed with recrudescence during September-March. Annual cases peaked in 2004 and decreased to the lowest incidence in 2016. This overall reduction occurred primarily for suspected cases and might be caused by improved adherence to case criteria during widespread implementation of the F1 rapid diagnostic test in 2002.
Topics: Antigens, Bacterial; Case-Control Studies; Data Analysis; Disease Outbreaks; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; Humans; Immunoassay; Madagascar; Plague; Population Surveillance; Risk Factors; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Yersinia pestis
PubMed: 30666930
DOI: 10.3201/eid2502.171974 -
PloS One 2020The Justinianic Plague, the first part of the earliest of the three plague pandemics, has minimal historical documentation. Based on the limited primary sources,...
The Justinianic Plague, the first part of the earliest of the three plague pandemics, has minimal historical documentation. Based on the limited primary sources, historians have argued both for and against the "maximalist narrative" of plague, i.e. that the Justinianic Plague had universally devastating effects throughout the Mediterranean region during the sixth century CE. Using primary sources of one of the pandemic's best documented outbreaks that took place in Constantinople during 542 CE, as well as modern findings on plague etiology and epidemiology, we developed a series of dynamic, compartmental models of disease to explore which, if any, transmission routes of plague are feasible. Using expected parameter values, we find that the bubonic and bubonic-pneumonic transmission routes exceed maximalist mortality estimates and are of shorter detectable duration than described by the primary sources. When accounting for parameter uncertainty, several of the bubonic plague model configurations yielded interquartile estimates consistent with the upper end of maximalist estimates of mortality; however, these models had shorter detectable outbreaks than suggested by the primary sources. The pneumonic transmission routes suggest that by itself, pneumonic plague would not cause significant mortality in the city. However, our global sensitivity analysis shows that predicted disease dynamics vary widely for all hypothesized transmission routes, suggesting that regardless of its effects in Constantinople, the Justinianic Plague would have likely had differential effects across urban areas around the Mediterranean. Our work highlights the uncertainty surrounding the details in the primary sources on the Justinianic Plague and calls into question the likelihood that the Justinianic Plague affected all localities in the same way.
Topics: Animals; History, Medieval; Humans; Mediterranean Region; Models, Theoretical; Pandemics; Plague
PubMed: 32352988
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231256 -
Infectious Diseases of Poverty May 2023Africa sees the surge of plague cases in recent decades, with hotspots in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, and Peru. A rodent-borne scourge, the bacterial...
BACKGROUND
Africa sees the surge of plague cases in recent decades, with hotspots in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, and Peru. A rodent-borne scourge, the bacterial infection known as plague is transmitted to humans via the sneaky bites of fleas, caused by Yersinia pestis. Bubonic plague has a case fatality rate of 20.8% with treatment, but in places such as Madagascar the mortality rate can increase to 40-70% without treatment.
MAIN TEXT
Tragedy strikes in the Ambohidratrimo district as three lives are claimed by the plague outbreak and three more fight for survival in the hospitals, including one man in critical condition, from the Ambohimiadana, Antsaharasty, and Ampanotokana communes, bringing the total plague victims in the area to a grim to five. Presently, the biggest concern is the potential plague spread among humans during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Effective disease control can be achieved through training and empowering local leaders and healthcare providers in rural areas, implementing strategies to reduce human-rodent interactions, promoting water, sanitation and hygiene practices (WASH) practices, and carrying out robust vector, reservoir and pest control, diversified animal surveillance along with human surveillance should be done to more extensively to fill the lacunae of knowledge regarding the animal to human transmission. The lack of diagnostic laboratories equipped represents a major hurdle in the early detection of plague in rural areas. To effectively combat plague, these tests must be made more widely available. Additionally, raising awareness among the general population through various means such as campaigns, posters and social media about the signs, symptoms, prevention, and infection control during funerals would greatly decrease the number of cases. Furthermore, healthcare professionals should be trained on the latest methods of identifying cases, controlling infections and protecting themselves from the disease.
CONCLUSIONS
Despite being endemic to Madagascar, the outbreak's pace is unparalleled, and it may spread to non-endemic areas. The utilization of a One Health strategy that encompasses various disciplines is crucial for minimizing catastrophe risk, antibiotic resistance, and outbreak readiness. Collaboration across sectors and proper planning ensures efficient and consistent communication, risk management, and credibility during disease outbreaks.
Topics: Male; Animals; Humans; Plague; Madagascar; One Health; Pandemics; COVID-19; Disease Outbreaks
PubMed: 37189153
DOI: 10.1186/s40249-023-01101-3 -
Comptes Rendus Biologies Aug 2002The plague has been one of the most devastating diseases of human history. Despite major advances in diagnosis, prevention, and treatment, it has not been possible to...
The plague has been one of the most devastating diseases of human history. Despite major advances in diagnosis, prevention, and treatment, it has not been possible to eradicate this infection. Plague is still active in Africa, in Asia and in the Americas, and is classified as a currently re-emerging disease. The plague is mainly a disease of rodents, which is transmitted by fleabites. Humans develop two main clinical forms: bubonic plague (following bites of infected fleas, lethal in 50-70% of the cases in less than a week if an appropriate treatment is not started rapidly), and pneumonic plague (after inhalation of infected droplets, lethal in less than three days in 100% of cases without immediate treatment). Y. pestis, the causative agent of plague, is usually sensitive to most antibiotics, but the first multi-resistant strain was recently described. No efficient and safe vaccines are currently available. The plague bacillus is one of the few organisms that could be used for biological warfare.
Topics: Bioterrorism; Global Health; Humans; Plague; Yersinia Infections
PubMed: 12391896
DOI: 10.1016/s1631-0691(02)01493-2 -
Bacteriological Reviews Sep 1961
Topics: Humans; Lung Abscess; Plague
PubMed: 14473142
DOI: 10.1128/br.25.3.249-261.1961