The Role of Early-Phase Transmission in the Spread of Yersinia pestis.
Early-phase transmission (EPT) of Yersinia pestis by unblocked fleas is a well-documented, replicable phenomenon with poorly defined mechanisms. We review evidence demonstrating EPT and current knowledge on its biological and biomechanical processes. We discuss the importance of EPT in the epizootic spread of Y. pestis and its role in the maintenance of plague bacteria in nature. We further address the role of EPT in the epidemiology of plague.
Bacterial Diseases Branch, Division of Vectorborne Diseases, National Center for Emerging Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO. dyn2@cdc.gov.
Rebecca J
RJ
Eisen
Retired.
David T
DT
Dennis
Bacterial Diseases Branch, Division of Vectorborne Diseases, National Center for Emerging Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO.
Kenneth L
KL
Gage
D000818:Animals; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000382:microbiology*; D010930:Plague / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D005423:Siphonaptera / Q000382:microbiology*; D015010:Yersinia pestis
Yersinia pestis; course of infection; early-phase transmission; flea; plague