Bubonic plague: historical aspects and therapy

Abstract

The bubonic plague or black plague is a zoonosis, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which quickly infects a great number of people, being able to decimate entire populations. This characteristic has turned plague into a dangerous biological warfare agent since the 16th century. Nowadays, the cure for plague is available; however the possibility of genetic engineering of Y. pestis strains could lead to the resurgence of this disease as a worldwide health problem of extreme gravity. In this work we have made a short resume and discussion on plague to provide readers with some information on its historical and clinical aspects, the currently used therapy and the potential of plague being used as a biological warfare agent nowadays.