Bubonic plague
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bubonic plague is the best-known manifestation of the bacterial disease plague, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. Bubonic plague is often used synonymously for plague, but it does in fact refer specifically to an infection that enters through the skin and travels through the lymphatics, as is often seen in flea-borne infections. Bubonic Plague kills about 70% of patients in 4-7 days.
Contents |
[edit] Pathology and transmission
The Bubonic plague is an infection of the lymphatic system, usually resulting from the bite of an infected flea. The bacteria rapidly spreads to the lymph nodes and multiplies. Yersinia pestis can resist phagocytosis and even reproduce inside phagocytes and kill them. As the disease progresses, the lymph nodes can hemorrhage and become necrotic. Bubonic plague can progress to lethal septicemic plague in some cases.
[edit] Symptoms
The most famous symptom of bubonic plague is swollen lymph nodes, called buboes. These are commonly found in the armpits, groin or neck. The bubonic plague was the first step of the ongoing plague. The two other forms of the plague, pneumonic and septicemic, resulted after a patient with the bubonic plague developed pneumonia or blood poisoning. Rumours emerged that the the Jews and the poor were bringing the virus, who were then promptly kicked out. Apparently it was believed that one could even catch it by looking at someone, which was exaggerated but because of the infected air somewhat possible. It is spread by people coughing and the infected air passes into another body.
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
 |
This infectious disease article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
