Rat flea Xenopsylla; most common carrier of plague


Yersinia pestis isolated from lymph gland and stained; note bipolar staining

Thanks to Robert F. Boyd, PhD, and Virginia Wirtz, authors of General Microbiology Times Mirror/Mosby College Publishing, 1984
Disease Plague (Black Death)
Description causes rashes, flu-like symptoms, arthritis, fatigue; life-threatening if untreated
Responsible pathogen Yersinia pestis bacteria
Route of exposure parenteral
Mode of transmission bites of fleas primarily associated with rats


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