Transmission of the Plague to Humans Essay -- Biology Medical Biomedic

Transmission of the Plague to HumansAbstractYersinia pestis is a bacterium that has been well know to mankind for centuries. Its chemical mechanisms of survival in wide variety of species are extraordinary. The power of this bacterium is dependent on its manipulation of the immune system of its hosts. Its intend of survival in the flea and its use of the flea as a vector to other desirable hosts portray this bacteriums true capability. This flea is the main cause of the bacterium to other animals, especially humans. However, the bacterium does not just stop here it uses its coded proteins to inhibit the hosts immune system and the hosts cellular functions to aid in its survival in the organism.One of the most deadly diseases to strike mankind is the plague. The plague has survived for centuries and has claimed the lives of millions throughout the years. The plague is caused by a disconfirming bacterium known as Yersinia pestis. There have been three major pandemics due to this ba cterium. Although it does not seem as deadly now as it was in the Middle Ages, it is still very much alive and present. There are three types of plague the bubonic, septicemic and pneumonic plague. The bubonic and septicimic plague are whole transmitted by the flea, but the pneumonic plague can spread through the air in droplets or by physical contact. At times, transmitting can also occur from infected rodents, cats or other animals through bites and scratches (Phillips, 2004). The bacterias key for survival lies in its vast variety of hosts. Its mechanism in manipulating the hosts cellular functions has enabled it to take control and survive through the years. However, the process that the bacteria must go through in lodge to infect a human relie... ...berlain/Website/lectures/lecture/plague.htm2. Jarrett, C. et al. Transmission of Yersinia pestis from an infectious biofilm in the flea vector. Journal of Infectious Diseases. (2004) v190 I4 p7833. Kool, J. (2005). Risk of Perso n-to-Person Transmission of Pneumonic Plague. Healthcare Epedimiology. July 24, 2005 http//www.nycosh.org/workplace_hazards/Biosafety/PlagueArticle4-05.pdf4. Kopp, E, Medzhitov, R (14 October 2002). A Plague on Host Defense. The Journal of Experimental Medicine. July 24, 2005 http//www.jem.org/cgi/content/full/jem.20021311v15. Phillips, F. (2004). Bioterrorism Plague. Anne Arundel County Department of Health, Maryland. July 27, 2005 http//www.aahealth.org/physicianslink/bioterrorism_plague_overview.asp6. Velendzas, D (2005). Plague. Emedicine. July 21, 2005 http//www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic428.htmsectionauthor_information