title: Plague in a Pediatric Patient: Case Report and Use of Polymerase Chain Reaction as a Diagnostic Aid.
abstract: We report a case of bubonic plaque in a 7-year-old patient who presented with a core temperature of 107°F, seizures, vomiting, altered mental status, and septic shock. This case highlights the utility of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as a diagnostic aid for rapid presumptive identification of Yersinia pestis as well as the importance of correlating PCR results with clinical data. We discuss the various manifestations of plague as they relate to infection control, postexposure prophylaxis, antimicrobial therapy, and treatment duration.
authors.affiliation: Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center, Denver, Colorado.
authors.forename: Wendi K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Drummond
authors.affiliation: Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Ft. Collins, Colorado.
authors.forename: Christina A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.affiliation: San Juan Basin Health Department, Durango, Colorado.
authors.forename: Joe
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fowler
authors.affiliation: Epidemic Intelligence Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Denver.
authors.forename: Erin E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Epson
authors.affiliation: Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Ft. Collins, Colorado.
authors.forename: Paul S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Mead
authors.affiliation: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Denver.
authors.forename: Elisabeth W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Lawaczeck
keywords: Yersinia pestis.; bubonic plague; infection control; pediatric; polymerase chain reaction