MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL

File: 970101_sep96_decls37_0017.txt
Page: 0017
Total Pages: 23

Subject: MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL                     

Unit: OTSG        

Parent Organization: HSC         

Box  ID: BX003201

Folder Title: MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL                                                     

Document Number:       1001

Folder Seq  #:         31




                                        UNCLASSIFIED









          lymphadenitis involving a node draining the site of
          inoculation. Most commonly, the primary site is inguinal,
          although axillary or cervical nodes may be involved. The
          involved nodes are swollen and tender, becoming fluctuant and
          necrotic. Bubonic plague may progress spontaneously to the
          septicemic form, which may then produce CNS or (less
          frequently) pneumonic disease. Onset of primary septicemic
          plague is similar, but without localizing "bubo". Infection by
          flea bite or other cutaneous inoculation would most likely
          produce bubonic or primary septicemic disease in most
          individuals. In primary pneumonia plague, the incubation
          period is shorter (1-6 days). Progressive respiratory
          insufficiency, bloody sputum, and toxemia are typical.
          Patients with pneumonia are highly contagious and should be
          kept in respiratory isolation. Although some patients with
          bubonic or septicemic plague may develop secondary pneumonia as
          the disease process evolves, large numbers of individuals with
          plague pneumonia almost certainly would indicate inhalation of
          organisms delivered via aerosol.


          DIAGNOSIS

              0 Ro,it-ina T.ahnrAt-nrv ;'i-nclinciq. Examina ion of bubo
              aspirate, sputum, or cerebrospinal fluid by gram stain will
              reveal numerous organisms typical morphologically of
              Yegsinia pe@.

              I                        . Bubonic plague should be
              suspected in large numbers of individuals with similar
              findings of fever, malaise, and tender lymphadenopathy. An
              epidemic of pneumonic plague in its early stages could be
              confused with tularemia, anthrax, or SEB; continued
              deterioration without stabilization effectively rules out
gram stain of the sputum, culture, and presence
              of the plague Fl antigen in blood specimens provide more
              specific evidence of plague.

              0 Specific Laboratogy Diaanosis. Yersinia pqstis can be
              readily cultured from blood, sputum, and bubo aspirates.
              Presumptive diagnosis can be made by gram stain and (if
              available) immunofluroscent staining. Most naturally
              occurring strains of Y. pestis an "Fl" antigen in-vivo,
              which can be detected in serum samples by immunoassays
              available in field diagnosis laboratories.


                                          14




                                         UNCLASSIFIED

Document 23 f:/Week-36/BX003201/MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL/medical defense against biological material:12249609313138
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-36
Box ID = BX003201
Unit = OTSG
Parent Organization = HSC
Folder Title = MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL
Folder Seq # = 31
Subject = MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL
Document Seq # = 1001
Document Date =
Scan Date =
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 24-DEC-1996