Septicemic plague: Difference between revisions

Septicemic plague
Synonyms	N/A
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Fever, chills, abdominal pain, shock, bleeding into skin and other organs
Complications	Septic shock, organ failure
Onset	Sudden
Duration	Varies
Types	N/A
Causes	Yersinia pestis
Risks	Flea bites, handling infected animals, bioterrorism
Diagnosis	Blood culture, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
Differential diagnosis	Meningococcemia, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, disseminated intravascular coagulation
Prevention	Avoiding flea bites, prophylactic antibiotics for exposure
Treatment	Antibiotics such as gentamicin, doxycycline, ciprofloxacin
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	High mortality if untreated
Frequency	Rare
Deaths	High if untreated

Latest revision as of 18:18, 8 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Septicemic plague is a severe and often fatal form of plague caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. It occurs when the bacteria multiply in the bloodstream, leading to a systemic infection. This form of plague can arise as a complication of bubonic plague or pneumonic plague, or it can occur independently.

Pathophysiology[edit]

Septicemic plague results from the spread of Yersinia pestis into the bloodstream. The bacteria release toxins that cause disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), leading to widespread clotting and bleeding. This can result in tissue necrosis and gangrene, particularly in the extremities, giving rise to the term "black death" due to the blackened appearance of the skin.

Transmission[edit]

Septicemic plague can be transmitted through:

Flea bites from fleas that have fed on infected rodents.
Direct contact with infected tissues or bodily fluids from animals or humans.
Secondary spread from untreated bubonic or pneumonic plague.

Symptoms[edit]

The symptoms of septicemic plague include:

Sudden onset of fever and chills
Extreme weakness
Abdominal pain
Shock
Bleeding into the skin and other organs
Gangrene of the extremities

Diagnosis[edit]

Diagnosis of septicemic plague is confirmed through:

Blood cultures to identify Yersinia pestis
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests
Serological tests to detect antibodies

Treatment[edit]

Immediate treatment with antibiotics is crucial for survival. Effective antibiotics include:

Supportive care in a hospital setting is often necessary to manage complications such as shock and organ failure.

Prognosis[edit]

The prognosis for septicemic plague is poor if not treated promptly, with a high mortality rate. However, with early diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic treatment, the prognosis improves significantly.

Prevention[edit]

Preventive measures include:

Reducing exposure to rodents and fleas
Using insect repellent and wearing protective clothing in endemic areas
Prophylactic antibiotics for those exposed to the bacterium

Also see[edit]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-Septicemic plague
+{{SI}}
-form of plague that occurs when= Septicemic Plague =
+{{Infobox medical condition
+| name            = Septicemic plague
-[[File:Hand necrosis caused by plague.jpg|thumb|right|Yersinia pestis bacteria, the causative agent of septicemic plague]]
+| image           = [[File:PlagueTypes.jpg|250px]]
+| caption         = Illustration of different types of plague
-== Introduction ==
+| field           = [[Infectious disease]]
-'''Septicemic Plague''' is a severe form of plague caused by the bacterium ''Yersinia pestis''. This form occurs when the infection directly enters the bloodstream, bypassing the lymphatic system, which is typically involved in the more common bubonic plague.
+| symptoms        = [[Fever]], [[chills]], [[abdominal pain]], [[shock]], [[bleeding into skin]] and other organs
+| complications   = [[Septic shock]], [[organ failure]]
-<youtube>
+| onset           = Sudden
-title='''{{PAGENAME}}'''
+| duration        = Varies
-movie_url=http://www.youtube.com/v/S0rB2jTXsqc
+| causes          = ''[[Yersinia pestis]]''
-&rel=1
+| risks           = [[Flea]] bites, handling infected animals, [[bioterrorism]]
-embed_source_url=http://www.youtube.com/v/S0rB2jTXsqc
+| diagnosis       = [[Blood culture]], [[polymerase chain reaction]] (PCR)
-&rel=1
+| differential    = [[Meningococcemia]], [[Rocky Mountain spotted fever]], [[disseminated intravascular coagulation]]
-wrap = yes
+| prevention      = [[Avoiding flea bites]], [[prophylactic antibiotics]] for exposure
-width=750
+| treatment       = [[Antibiotics]] such as [[gentamicin]], [[doxycycline]], [[ciprofloxacin]]
-height=600
+| prognosis       = High mortality if untreated
-</youtube>
+| frequency       = Rare
+| deaths          = High if untreated
-== Pathogenesis and Transmission ==
+}}
-Septicemic plague can develop:
+'''Septicemic plague''' is a severe and often fatal form of [[plague (disease)|plague]] caused by the bacterium ''[[Yersinia pestis]]''. It occurs when the bacteria multiply in the bloodstream, leading to a systemic infection. This form of plague can arise as a complication of [[bubonic plague]] or [[pneumonic plague]], or it can occur independently.
-* As a primary infection through direct invasion of the bloodstream by ''Yersinia pestis''.
+==Pathophysiology==
-* Secondary to bubonic or pneumonic plague when the bacteria spread to the bloodstream.
+Septicemic plague results from the spread of ''Yersinia pestis'' into the bloodstream. The bacteria release toxins that cause disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), leading to widespread clotting and bleeding. This can result in tissue necrosis and gangrene, particularly in the extremities, giving rise to the term "black death" due to the blackened appearance of the skin.
-It is transmitted primarily by flea bites or handling infected animal tissues.
+==Transmission==
+[[File:PlagueTransmissionHomemade.png|left|thumb|Transmission routes of plague]]
-[[File:Yersinia pestis.jpg|thumb|left|Microscopic image of a flea, a common vector of plague]]
+Septicemic plague can be transmitted through:
+* [[Flea]] bites from fleas that have fed on infected rodents.
-== Clinical Features ==
+* Direct contact with infected tissues or bodily fluids from animals or humans.
-Key symptoms of septicemic plague include:
+* Secondary spread from untreated bubonic or pneumonic plague.
+==Symptoms==
+The symptoms of septicemic plague include:
 * Sudden onset of fever and chills
-* Abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea
+* Extreme weakness
-* Severe sepsis leading to shock and organ failure
+* Abdominal pain
-* Disseminated intravascular coagulation, leading to gangrene in extremities
+* Shock
+* Bleeding into the skin and other organs
-== Diagnosis and Treatment ==
+* Gangrene of the extremities
-Diagnosis is often based on:
+==Diagnosis==
-* Clinical presentation and patient history
+Diagnosis of septicemic plague is confirmed through:
-* Laboratory testing of blood or tissue samples
+* Blood cultures to identify ''Yersinia pestis''
-Early treatment is critical and typically involves:
+* Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests
-* Rapid administration of antibiotics like streptomycin or gentamicin
+* Serological tests to detect antibodies
-* Supportive care for shock and organ dysfunction
+==Treatment==
+Immediate treatment with antibiotics is crucial for survival. Effective antibiotics include:
-== Epidemiology ==
+* [[Gentamicin]]
-While less common than bubonic plague, septicemic plague is more dangerous due to its rapid progression and high mortality rate, especially if not treated promptly.
+* [[Doxycycline]]
+* [[Ciprofloxacin]]
-== Prevention and Control ==
+Supportive care in a hospital setting is often necessary to manage complications such as shock and organ failure.
+==Prognosis==
+The prognosis for septicemic plague is poor if not treated promptly, with a high mortality rate. However, with early diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic treatment, the prognosis improves significantly.
+==Prevention==
 Preventive measures include:
-* Control of rodent populations
+* Reducing exposure to rodents and fleas
-* Use of insect repellents to prevent flea bites
+* Using insect repellent and wearing protective clothing in endemic areas
-* Avoiding contact with potentially infected animals
+* Prophylactic antibiotics for those exposed to the bacterium
+==Also see==
-== Historical and Contemporary Significance ==
+* [[Bubonic plague]]
-Septicemic plague has been a part of human history since antiquity, contributing to major pandemics. Modern surveillance and antibiotic treatment have significantly reduced its impact but occasional outbreaks still occur.
+* [[Pneumonic plague]]
+* [[Yersinia pestis]]
-== References ==
+* [[Infectious disease]]
-* ''Septicemic Plague: Diagnosis and Treatment''. John Doe, Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2023.
+{{Plague}}
-* ''Epidemiology of Plague in the Modern World''. Jane Smith, Global Health Review, 2022.
 [[Category:Infectious diseases]]
 [[Category:Bacterial diseases]]
-[[Category:Epidemiology]]
+[[Category:Zoonoses]]
-[[Category:Public health]]
-{{stub}}

Septicemic plague

Synonyms	N/A
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Fever, chills, abdominal pain, shock, bleeding into skin and other organs
Complications	Septic shock, organ failure
Onset	Sudden
Duration	Varies
Types	N/A
Causes	Yersinia pestis
Risks	Flea bites, handling infected animals, bioterrorism
Diagnosis	Blood culture, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
Differential diagnosis	Meningococcemia, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, disseminated intravascular coagulation
Prevention	Avoiding flea bites, prophylactic antibiotics for exposure
Treatment	Antibiotics such as gentamicin, doxycycline, ciprofloxacin
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	High mortality if untreated
Frequency	Rare
Deaths	High if untreated