BIOS 111 Lecture Notes - Lecture 18: Model Organism, Streptomycin, Bubonic Plague
Document Summary
Bios 111 disease of day - bubonic plague lecture 18 (2/22/17) 1348-1350, (at least) of europeans died. The cause wasn"t known to be bacterial. Ground squirrels and chipmunks were also reservoirs. Infected rats got off ships to spread it. They would bite the humans, infecting them. The rats died of the plague so the fleas would feed off of them. If a person recovered, they were immune. There was a 50% chance of death. Not routinely vaccinated against but there is one available. There was a toxin being produced and the bacteria has capsules so they survived phagocytes. Toxins inhibit mitochondria of mice, rats, and humans but not rabbits, dogs, or monkeys. There is no one ideal animal model. Blood can be taken for screening if suspected. Doctors look for antibody (mab) on a tube to see if you get a reaction. Can be treated with streptomycin and tetracycline. Rat guards prevent rats from getting on or off boats.
