Plague Pneumonia.
Yersinia pestis is a gram-negative bacillus that can cause pneumonia if inhaled. Secondary person-to-person spread of infection can develop. Aerosolization of this organism as a weapon of biological terror could potentially cause many thousands of casualties, mass social disruption, and widespread fear. Plague pneumonia is treatable if recognized early but still carries a 50% to 60% mortality rate. Delay in therapy is associated with 100% mortality rates. Prophylaxis of exposed persons with oral antibiotics is indicated. There is no protective vaccine currently available.
Gradon
Jeremy David
JD
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, 2401 W. Belvedere Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21215, USA. JGRADON@LIFEBRIDGEHEALTH.ORG