Septicemic Plague
Disease Details
Family Health Simplified
- Description
-
Septicemic plague is a severe bacterial infection caused by Yersinia pestis, leading to bloodstream infection and potentially causing organ failure and death if not treated promptly.
One-sentence description: Septicemic plague is a life-threatening infection where the plague-causing bacteria infect the bloodstream, leading to severe systemic symptoms and high mortality without rapid treatment. - Type
- Septicemic plague is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. It is not transmitted genetically; instead, it is typically spread through the bite of an infected flea or direct contact with infectious bodily fluids or tissues.
- Signs And Symptoms
-
The usual symptoms are:
Abdominal pain
Bleeding under the skin due to blood clotting problems
Bleeding from mouth, nose or rectum
Gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, which can be with blood, and diarrhea
Fever
Chills
Low blood pressure
Organ failure
Shock
Death of tissue (gangrene) in extremities, mostly fingers, nose, and toes
Difficulty breathing
DeathThese symptoms are common to many human illnesses and are not considered, in and of themselves, to signify infection with any form of plague.It is important to note that septicemic plague may be asymptomatic and may cause death absent of any symptoms. - Prognosis
- Untreated septicemic plague is almost always fatal. Early treatment with antibiotics reduces the mortality rate to between 4 and 15 per cent. Death is almost inevitable if treatment is delayed more than about 24 hours, and some people may even die on the same day they present with the disease.
- Onset
- The onset of septicemic plague is typically sudden and rapid. Symptoms can appear within a few hours to a few days after exposure to the Yersinia pestis bacteria, leading to a swift progression of the disease.
- Prevalence
- Septicemic plague is a rare form of plague caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. Due to the rarity and sporadic occurrence of outbreaks, exact prevalence data are not well-defined. Cases are generally infrequent and typically localized to areas where the bacterium is endemic, such as parts of Africa, Asia, and the Americas. However, overall prevalence remains low on a global scale.
- Epidemiology
- In 2015, Taylor Gaes, a 16-year-old in Larimer County in northern Colorado, contracted septicemic plague and subsequently died after being bitten by a flea that had bitten a rodent on his family's rural property. Only three people in Colorado had contracted the bacteria in the previous thirty years.
- Intractability
- Septicemic plague can be intractable if not treated promptly and appropriately. Early diagnosis and administration of effective antibiotics are crucial for improving survival rates. Without timely treatment, it can rapidly progress to severe illness and death.
- Disease Severity
- Septicemic plague is a severe form of plague caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. If not treated promptly, it can be fatal. Early symptoms include fever, chills, extreme weakness, abdominal pain, shock, and possibly bleeding into the skin and other organs.
- Healthcare Professionals
- Disease Ontology ID - DOID:3481
- Pathophysiology
-
Septicemic plague is a severe infection caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. Here’s a brief overview of its pathophysiology:
1. **Entry and Spread**: The bacteria enter the bloodstream, either directly via a flea bite or secondary to bubonic or pneumonic plague. Once in the bloodstream, Yersinia pestis evades the immune system using various virulence factors.
2. **Immune Evasion**: Yersinia pestis produces proteins that inhibit phagocytosis and neutralize immune responses. This allows the bacteria to proliferate in the blood.
3. **Toxin Production**: The bacteria release endotoxins and other virulence factors that cause widespread inflammation and can lead to disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).
4. **Tissue Damage**: The toxins and immune response cause significant tissue damage, leading to organ failure, skin necrosis, and bleeding.
5. **Sepsis**: The overwhelming infection leads to sepsis, characterized by systemic inflammation, low blood pressure, and multiple organ failure.
Without prompt treatment, septicemic plague is often fatal due to its rapid progression and severe systemic effects. - Carrier Status
- Septicemic plague is not typically associated with a carrier status. This form of plague occurs when Yersinia pestis bacteria enter the bloodstream and multiply, leading to severe systemic infection. It is transmitted primarily through the bite of an infected flea or through direct contact with infected tissues or bodily fluids.
- Mechanism
-
Septicemic plague is a severe bacterial infection caused by *Yersinia pestis*. This condition occurs when the bacteria enter the bloodstream, leading to systemic infection.
### Mechanism:
1. **Entry and Spread**: *Yersinia pestis* can enter the bloodstream through a flea bite, direct contact with infected animals, or secondary from pneumonic or bubonic plague.
2. **Evading Immune Response**: The bacteria possess several mechanisms to evade the host immune system, including antiphagocytic properties via the F1 capsule and the type III secretion system (T3SS).
3. **Systemic Spread**: Once in the bloodstream, the bacteria can spread rapidly to multiple organs, causing widespread infection and septic shock.
### Molecular Mechanisms:
1. **Type III Secretion System (T3SS)**: *Y. pestis* uses T3SS to inject Yersinia outer proteins (Yops) into host immune cells. These proteins disrupt phagocytosis, signal transduction, and induce apoptosis of immune cells, aiding in immune evasion.
2. **F1 Capsule**: The F1 antigen forms a capsule around the bacteria, preventing phagocytosis by immune cells.
3. **LPS (Lipopolysaccharide)**: The altered structure of *Y. pestis* LPS reduces its recognition by the host's Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), decreasing the inflammatory response.
4. **Pla Protease**: This enzyme degrades fibrin clots and other components of the immune response, facilitating bacterial dissemination and reducing host coagulation.
Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing effective treatments and prevention strategies for septicemic plague. - Treatment
-
Starting antibiotics early is the first step in treating septicemic plague in humans. One of the following antibiotics may be used:
Streptomycin
Gentamicin
Tetracycline or Doxycycline
Chloramphenicol
CiprofloxacinLymph nodes may require draining and the patient will need close monitoring.In animals, antibiotics such as tetracycline or doxycycline can be used. Intravenous drip may be used to assist in dehydration scenarios. Flea treatment can also be used. In some cases, euthanasia may be the best option for treatment and to prevent further spreading. - Compassionate Use Treatment
- Compassionate use treatment for septicemic plague may include investigational drugs that are not yet widely approved but are provided to critically ill patients when no other treatment options are available. Off-label or experimental treatments could involve the use of antibiotics such as levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, or moxifloxacin, which are typically not the first-line treatments but have shown some efficacy against Yersinia pestis, the bacterium responsible for plague. These treatments would be considered when conventional therapies like streptomycin, gentamicin, doxycycline, or chloramphenicol are not suitable or available.
- Lifestyle Recommendations
-
Septicemic plague is a serious infection caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. Since it requires immediate medical treatment, lifestyle changes alone aren't sufficient for managing the condition. However, preventing the plague generally involves certain lifestyle recommendations:
1. **Avoid Contact with Rodents:** Stay away from areas heavily infested with rodents or areas known to have plague-infected animals.
2. **Control Flea Exposure:** Use insect repellent containing DEET, wear long sleeves and pants, and use flea control products on pets.
3. **Practice Good Hygiene:** Wash hands regularly with soap and water, especially after handling pets or coming into contact with potentially contaminated items.
4. **Protect Pets:** Keep pets from roaming in areas where plague is present and manage rodent populations around your home.
5. **Stay Informed:** Be aware of plague outbreaks in your area and follow public health advisories.
Prompt medical attention is crucial if exposure is suspected or symptoms arise, as septicemic plague can progress rapidly and is life-threatening. - Medication
-
Septicemic plague is typically treated with antibiotics. Commonly used medications include:
1. **Gentamicin**
2. **Doxycycline**
3. **Ciprofloxacin**
4. **Levofloxacin**
5. **Chloramphenicol**
Prompt treatment is critical to reduce mortality. - Repurposable Drugs
-
For septicemic plague, repurposable drugs that have shown potential activity include:
1. **Doxycycline** - A broad-spectrum antibiotic typically used for infections caused by bacteria and certain parasites.
2. **Ciprofloxacin** - A fluoroquinolone antibiotic effective against various bacterial infections.
3. **Gentamicin** - An aminoglycoside antibiotic often used for severe infections, including those caused by certain strains of bacteria.
Always consult with a healthcare professional for the most appropriate treatment options. - Metabolites
-
For septicemic plague, metabolites include various signaling molecules and metabolic byproducts resulting from the body's response to Yersinia pestis infection. These can include inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukins and tumor necrosis factors, and stress-related hormones like cortisol. Additionally, metabolic changes may involve alterations in glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, and amino acid profiles.
If you meant "nan" as in not applicable or not available, there could be a misunderstanding. Please clarify if you need more specific information on metabolites in a different context or provide additional details. - Nutraceuticals
- There are no nutraceuticals proven effective for treating septicemic plague, which is a severe and rapidly progressing infection caused by the bacterium *Yersinia pestis*. Immediate medical treatment with antibiotics is essential.
- Peptides
- For septicemic plague, specific peptides used for diagnostics or treatment are not well-established in clinical practice. Treatment typically focuses on antibiotics such as gentamicin, doxycycline, or ciprofloxacin. Research is ongoing into the use of peptides and other novel treatments, but they are not yet standard. If you need detailed information on experimental peptide treatments, it is advisable to consult recent scientific literature.