How Do You Spell PLAGUE BACILLUS?

1. Plague bacillus refers to a specific type of bacteria known as Yersinia pestis, responsible for causing the deadly infectious disease called plague. This bacterium belongs to the family Enterobacteriaceae and is one of the most virulent pathogens known to mankind.

   The plague bacillus is a small, rod-shaped, gram-negative bacterium that thrives inside the host's cells, particularly in lymph nodes. It possesses several structures that facilitate its pathogenicity, including an outer membrane surrounding its cell wall and a capsule that enables it to evade the host's immune response.

   Transmission of the plague bacillus usually occurs through the bites of fleas that have previously fed on infected animals, primarily rodents like rats. In humans, the plague causes three main forms: bubonic, septicemic, and pneumonic. Bubonic plague is characterized by swollen and painful lymph nodes, while septicemic plague affects the bloodstream and can lead to critical organ failure. Pneumonic plague is the most severe form, as it directly infects the lungs and can be transmitted via respiratory droplets from person to person.

   Historically, the plague bacillus has caused devastating pandemics with high mortality rates, such as the Black Death in the 14th century, which killed millions of people in Europe. Nowadays, it is still present in certain parts of the world, particularly in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, although it can be effectively treated with antibiotics if diagnosed early.

   In summary, the plague bacillus refers to Yersinia pestis, a highly infectious bacterium responsible for the deadly plague disease, historically associated with devastating pandemics throughout human history.

2. B. pestis.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for PLAGUE BACILLUS

The word "plague" derives from the Latin word "plaga", meaning "blow" or "wound". It was used in reference to the deadly disease known as "the plague" or "the Black Death".

The term "bacillus" has its origins in the Latin word "bacillum", which means "small staff" or "rod". It was later adopted in biology to describe a type of bacteria that appears as a rod-shaped microorganism.

Therefore, "plague bacillus" refers to the causative agent of the plague, specifically the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which is responsible for the bubonic, septicemic, and pneumonic forms of the disease.