Septicemic plague

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
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

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

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

Transmission routes of plague

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

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

Diagnosis of septicemic plague is confirmed through:

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

Treatment

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

• Gentamicin
• Doxycycline
• Ciprofloxacin

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:

• 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

• Bubonic plague
• Pneumonic plague
• Yersinia pestis
• Infectious disease