Yersinia pestis
Yersinia pestis
Yersinia pestis (pronunciation: yer-SIN-ee-uh PES-tis) is a gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium, known to cause the disease plague. It is named after Alexandre Yersin, a Swiss-French physician and bacteriologist, who first identified it in 1894.
Etymology
The bacterium is named after Alexandre Yersin, who is credited with its discovery. The species name, pestis, is derived from the Latin word for "plague" or "pestilence", reflecting the bacterium's role in causing this disease.
Characteristics
Yersinia pestis is a facultative anaerobe that can live and multiply in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. It is a non-motile bacterium that primarily infects humans and other mammals through the bite of an infected flea.
Disease
Yersinia pestis is the causative agent of the plague, a disease that has caused several pandemics throughout history, including the Black Death in the 14th century. The bacterium can cause three forms of plague: bubonic plague, septicemic plague, and pneumonic plague, each named for the different effects they have on the body.
Treatment
Treatment for infections caused by Yersinia pestis typically involves antibiotics such as streptomycin, gentamicin, and doxycycline. Early detection and treatment are crucial for survival, as the disease can be fatal if not treated promptly.
Prevention
Prevention of plague involves controlling the population of rodents and fleas that can carry the bacterium. Vaccines are also available for high-risk individuals, though their effectiveness is not fully established.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Yersinia pestis
- Wikipedia's article - Yersinia pestis
This WikiMD article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski