What kind of disease is the plague? The main epidemiological signs of plague. Paths of infection by plague

In November 2017, the British online publication The Independent published an article on the new synthetic biology program of the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), “ Hi-tech use of plants" (Advanced Plant Technologies - APT). The military department plans to create genetically modified algae that can serve as self-sustaining sensors to collect information in conditions where the use of traditional technologies is impossible. How realistic is this and what is the threat to humanity?

It is assumed that the natural capabilities of plants can be used to detect relevant chemicals, harmful microorganisms, radiation and electromagnetic signals. At the same time, changing their genome will allow the military to control the state of the environment and more. This, in turn, will make it possible to remotely monitor the reaction of plants using existing technical means.

Obedient viruses

According to APT program manager Blake Bextine, DARPA's goal in this case is to develop an efficient, reusable system for designing, directly creating and testing various biological platforms with easily adaptable capabilities that can be applied to a wide range of scenarios.

Let us pay tribute to American scientists and the US military department, which is actively promoting the development of synthetic biology. At the same time, we note that significant progress recent years, the intended results of which should be aimed at the benefit of humanity, created and completely new problem, the consequences of which are unpredictable and unpredictable. It turns out that the United States now has the technical ability to design artificial (synthetic) microorganisms that are not available in natural conditions. Which means we are talking about biological weapons(BO) new generation.

If we recall, in the last century, intensive US research on the development of biologically active substances was aimed both at obtaining strains of pathogens of dangerous human infectious diseases with altered properties (overcoming specific immunity, polyantibiotic resistance, increasing pathogenicity), and at developing means of their identification and protective measures. As a result, methods for indicating and identifying genetically modified microorganisms have been improved. Schemes for the prevention and treatment of infections caused by natural and modified forms of bacteria have been developed.

The first experiments using recombinant DNA methods and technologies were carried out back in the 70s and were devoted to modifying the genetic code of natural strains by including single genes in their genome that could change the properties of bacteria. This opened up opportunities for scientists to solve such important problems as obtaining biofuels, bacterial electricity, medicines, diagnostic drugs and multidiagnostic platforms, synthetic vaccines, etc. An example of the successful implementation of such goals is the creation of a bacterium containing recombinant DNA and producing synthetic insulin.

But there is another side. In 2002, viable polioviruses were artificially synthesized, including one similar to the causative agent of the Spanish flu, which claimed tens of millions of lives in 1918. Although attempts are being made to create effective vaccines based on such artificial strains.

In 2007, scientists from the J. Craig Venter Research Institute (JCVI, USA) were for the first time able to transport the entire genome of one bacterial species (Mycoplasma mycoides) to another (Mycoplasma capricolum) and proved the viability of the new microorganism. To determine the synthetic origin of such bacteria, markers, so-called watermarks, are usually introduced into their genome.

Synthetic biology is an intensively developing field, representing a qualitatively new step in development genetic engineering. From the movement of several genes between organisms to the design and construction of unique biological systems that do not exist in nature with “programmed” functions and properties. Moreover, genomic sequencing and creation of databases of complete genomes of various microorganisms will make it possible to develop modern strategies for DNA synthesis of any microbe in the laboratory.

As you know, DNA consists of four bases, the sequence and composition of which determine biological properties living organisms. Modern science allows the introduction of “unnatural” bases into the synthetic genome, the functioning of which in the cell is very difficult to program in advance. And such experiments on “inserting” unknown DNA sequences with unknown functions into an artificial genome are already being carried out abroad. Multidisciplinary centers dealing with issues of synthetic biology have been created in the USA, Great Britain and Japan, where researchers of various specialties work.

At the same time, it is obvious that when using modern methodological techniques, the likelihood of “accidentally” or intentionally obtaining chimeric bioweapon agents unknown to humanity with a completely new set of pathogenicity factors increases. In this regard, there arises important aspect– ensuring the biological safety of such research. According to a number of experts, synthetic biology is a field of activity with high risks associated with the construction of new viable microorganisms. It cannot be ruled out that life forms created in the laboratory can escape from the test tube and become biological, and this will threaten existing natural diversity.

The fact that, unfortunately, another one is not reflected in publications on synthetic biology issues deserves special attention. important problem, namely maintaining the stability of the artificially created bacterial genome. Microbiologists are well aware of the phenomenon of spontaneous mutations due to changes or loss (deletion) of a particular gene in the genome of bacteria and viruses, which lead to changes in the properties of the cell. However, under natural conditions, the frequency of occurrence of such mutations is low and the genome of microorganisms is characterized by relative stability.

The evolutionary process has shaped the diversity of the microbial world over thousands of years. Today, the entire classification of families, genera and species of bacteria and viruses is based on the stability of genetic sequences, which allows their identification and determines specific biological properties. They were the starting point for the creation of such modern diagnostic methods as determining the protein or fatty acid profiles of microorganisms using MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry or chromo-mass spectrometry, identifying DNA sequences specific to each microbe using PCR analysis, etc. At the same time, the stability of the synthetic genome of “chimeric” microbes is currently unknown, and it is impossible to predict how much we were able to “deceive” nature and evolution. Therefore, it is very difficult to predict the consequences of accidental or intentional penetration of such artificial microorganisms outside laboratories. Even if the created microbe is “harmless,” its release into the world under completely different conditions from the laboratory can lead to increased mutability and the formation of new variants with unknown, possibly aggressive properties. A clear illustration of this point is the creation of the artificial bacterium synthia.

Death on tap

Cynthia (Mycoplasma laboratorium) is a laboratory-bred synthetic strain of mycoplasma. It is capable of independent reproduction and was intended, as stated in foreign media, to eliminate the consequences of an oil disaster in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico by absorbing pollution.

In 2011, bacteria were released into the oceans to destroy oil spills that pose a threat to the Earth's ecology. This rash and poorly calculated decision soon turned into dire consequences– microorganisms are out of control. There were reports of a terrible disease, which journalists called the blue plague and which caused the extinction of fauna in the Gulf of Mexico. Moreover, all publications that caused panic among the population belong to periodicals, while scientific publications prefer to remain silent. There are currently no direct scientific evidence(or they are deliberately hiding) that an unknown fatal disease is caused by Cynthia. However, there is no smoke without fire, so the proposed versions of the environmental disaster in the Gulf of Mexico require close attention and study.

It is assumed that in the process of absorbing petroleum products, Cynthia changed and expanded her nutritional needs, including proteins of animal origin in her “diet.” Getting into microscopic wounds on the body of fish and other marine animals, it spreads through the bloodstream to all organs and systems, literally corroding everything in its path in a short time. In just a few days, the skin of the seals becomes covered with ulcers, constantly bleeding, and then completely rots. Alas, there were reports of fatal cases of the disease (with the same symptom complex) and people who swam in the Gulf of Mexico.

An important point is the fact that in the case of Cynthia, the disease cannot be treated with known antibiotics, since, in addition to “watermarks,” genes for resistance to antibacterial drugs. The latter raises surprises and questions. Why would a saprophytic microbe, incapable of causing diseases in humans and animals, initially need antibiotic resistance genes?

In this regard, the silence of official representatives and authors of this infection looks strange, to say the least. According to some experts, the true scale of the tragedy is being concealed at the government level. It is also suggested that in the case of the use of Cynthia we are talking about the use of bacteriological weapons wide range actions that pose a threat of an intercontinental epidemic. At the same time, in order to dispel panic and rumors, the United States has the entire arsenal of modern methods for identifying microorganisms, and determining the etiological agent of this unknown infection is not difficult. Of course, it cannot be ruled out that this is the result of the direct impact of oil on a living organism, although the symptoms of the disease are more indicative of its infectious nature. Nevertheless, the question, we repeat, requires clarity.

It is natural to be concerned about the uncontrolled research of many Russian and foreign scientists. To reduce the risk, several directions are proposed - introducing personal responsibility for developments with non-programmable results, increasing scientific literacy at the level vocational training, widely informing the public about the achievements of synthetic biology through the media. But is the community ready to follow these rules? For example, the removal of anthrax spores from a US laboratory and their distribution in envelopes casts doubt on the effectiveness of control. Moreover, taking into account modern capabilities, the availability of databases of genetic sequences of bacteria, including pathogens especially dangerous infections, DNA synthesis techniques, techniques for creating artificial microbes. It cannot be ruled out that hackers will gain unauthorized access to this information and then sell it to interested parties.

As the experience of “launching” Cynthia into natural conditions shows, all the proposed measures turn out to be ineffective and do not guarantee the biological safety of the environment. In addition, it cannot be ruled out that there may be long-term environmental consequences of the introduction of an artificial microorganism into nature.

The proposed control measures - widespread media notification and strengthening the ethical responsibility of researchers when creating artificial forms of microorganisms - do not yet inspire optimism. The most effective seems to be the legal regulation of the biological safety of synthetic life forms and the system of their monitoring at the international and national levels according to a new risk assessment system, which should include a comprehensive, experimentally evidence-based study of the consequences in the field of synthetic biology. A possible solution could also be the creation of an international expert council to assess the risks of using its products.

The analysis shows that science has reached completely new frontiers and has posed unexpected problems. Until now, schemes for the indication and identification of dangerous agents have been aimed at their detection based on the identification of specific antigenic or genetic markers. But when creating chimeric microorganisms with different pathogenicity factors, these approaches are ineffective.

Moreover, currently developed schemes for specific and emergency prevention and etiotropic therapy of dangerous infections may also turn out to be useless, since they are designed, even if modified versions are used, for a known pathogen.

Humanity, unknowingly, has embarked on the path of biological warfare with unknown consequences. There may not be any winners in this war.

– highly contagious bacterial infection with multiple routes of transmission and epidemic spread, occurring with feverish intoxication syndrome, damage to the lymph nodes, lungs and skin. The clinical course of various forms of plague is characterized by high fever, severe intoxication, agitation, excruciating thirst, vomiting, regional lymphadenitis, hemorrhagic rash, disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome, as well as their specific symptoms (necrotizing ulcers, plague buboes, ITS, hemoptysis). Diagnosis of plague is carried out laboratory methods(bacterial culture, ELISA, RNGA, PCR). Treatment is carried out under conditions of strict isolation: tetracycline antibiotics, detoxification, pathogenetic and symptomatic therapy are indicated.

ICD-10

A20

General information

Plague is an acute infection, transmitted predominantly by a transmissible mechanism, manifested by inflammation of the lymph nodes, lungs, and other organs, which is serous-hemorrhagic in nature, or occurs in a septic form. Plague belongs to the group of especially dangerous infections.

Plague belongs to the group of especially dangerous infections. In past pandemics, the Black Death, as the plague was called, killed millions human lives. History describes three global outbreaks of plague: in the 6th century. in the Eastern Roman Empire (“Justinian Plague”); in the 14th century in Crimea, the Mediterranean and Western Europe; in the late 19th century in Hong Kong. Currently, thanks to the development of effective anti-epidemic measures and an anti-plague vaccine, only sporadic cases of infection are recorded in natural foci. In Russia, plague-endemic areas include the Caspian lowland, Stavropol region, Eastern Urals, Altai and Transbaikalia.

Characteristics of the pathogen

Yersinia pestis is a nonmotile, facultative anaerobic, gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium of the genus Enterobacteriaceae. The plague bacillus can remain viable for a long time in the secretions of sick people and corpses (in bubonic pus Yersinia live up to 20-30 days, in the corpses of people and dead animals - up to 60 days), and can withstand freezing. To factors external environment(sun rays, atmospheric oxygen, heating, changes in environmental acidity, disinfection) this bacterium is quite sensitive.

The reservoir and source of plague are wild rodents (marmots, voles, gerbils, pikas). In different natural foci, different types of rodents can serve as reservoirs; in urban conditions, mainly rats. Dogs resistant to human plague can serve as a source of pathogen for fleas. In rare cases (with the pneumonic form of plague, or in direct contact with bubonic pus), a person can become the source of infection; fleas can also receive the pathogen from patients with the septic form of plague. Often infection occurs directly from plague-infected corpses.

Plague is transmitted using a variety of mechanisms, the leading place among which is transmissible. The carriers of the plague pathogen are fleas and ticks of some species. Fleas infect animals that carry the pathogen through migration, also spreading fleas. People become infected by rubbing flea excrement into their skin while scratching. Insects remain infective for about 7 weeks (there is evidence of fleas being contagious throughout the year).

Infection with plague can also occur through contact (through damaged skin when interacting with dead animals, cutting up carcasses, harvesting skins, etc.), or nutritionally (by eating the meat of sick animals).

People have an absolute natural susceptibility to infection; the disease develops when infected by any route and at any age. Post-infectious immunity is relative and does not protect against re-infection, but repeated cases of plague usually occur in more severe cases. mild form.

Plague classification

Plague is classified into clinical forms depending on the predominant symptoms. There are local, generalized and externally disseminated forms. Local plague is divided into cutaneous, bubonic and cutaneous bubonic, generalized plague is primary and secondary septic, the externally disseminated form is divided into primary and secondary pulmonary, as well as intestinal.

Plague symptoms

The incubation period of the plague on average takes about 3-6 days (maximum up to 9 days). In mass epidemics or in the case of generalized forms, the incubation period can be shortened to one to two days. The onset of the disease is acute, characterized by the rapid development of fever, accompanied by stunning chills and severe intoxication syndrome.

Patients may complain of pain in the muscles, joints, and sacral region. Vomiting appears (often with blood), thirst (painful). From the very first hours, patients are in an excited state, and perception disorders (delusions, hallucinations) may be noted. Coordination is impaired and speech intelligibility is lost. Lethargy and apathy occur noticeably less often, patients weaken to the point of being unable to get out of bed.

The patient's face is puffy, hyperemic, the sclera is injected. In severe cases, hemorrhagic rashes are observed. A characteristic feature plague is a “chalky tongue” - dry, thickened, densely covered with a bright white coating. Physical examination shows severe tachycardia, progressive hypotension, shortness of breath and oliguria (up to anuria). In the initial period of plague, this symptomatic picture is observed in all clinical forms of plague.

Cutaneous form manifests itself in the form of a carbuncle in the area of ​​introduction of the pathogen. The carbuncle progresses, passing through the following stages in succession: first, a pustule forms on the hyperemic, edematous skin (pronouncedly painful, filled with hemorrhagic contents), which, after opening, leaves an ulcer with raised edges and a yellowish bottom. The ulcer tends to get larger. Soon a necrotic black scab forms in its center, quickly filling the entire bottom of the ulcer. After the scab is rejected, the carbuncle heals, leaving a rough scar.

Bubonic form is the most common form of plague. Buboes are specifically modified lymph nodes. Thus, with this form of infection, the predominant clinical manifestation purulent lymphadenitis is regional in relation to the area of ​​penetration of the pathogen. Buboes, as a rule, are single, in some cases they can be multiple. Initially, there is soreness in the area of ​​the lymph node; after 1-2 days, palpation reveals enlarged, painful lymph nodes, initially dense, which, as the process progresses, soften to a pasty consistency, merging into a single conglomerate welded to the surrounding tissues. The further course of the bubo can lead either to its independent resorption or to the formation of an ulcer, an area of ​​sclerosis or necrosis. The height of the disease continues for a week, then a period of convalescence begins, and clinical symptoms gradually subside.

Skin- bubonic form characterized by a combination skin manifestations with lymphadenopathy. Local forms of plague can progress to secondary septic and secondary pneumonic forms. Clinical course these forms are no different from their primary counterparts.

Primary septic form develops at lightning speed, after a shortened incubation (1-2 days), is characterized by a rapid increase in severe intoxication, severe hemorrhagic syndrome (numerous hemorrhages in skin, mucous membranes, conjunctiva, intestinal and renal bleeding), rapid development of infectious-toxic shock. The septic form of plague without proper timely medical care ends in death.

Primary pulmonary form occurs in the case of an aerogenic route of infection, the incubation period is also reduced and can be several hours or last about two days. The onset is acute, characteristic of all forms of plague - increasing intoxication, fever. Pulmonary symptoms appear on the second or third day of the disease: there is a strong debilitating cough, first with transparent glassy sputum, later with foamy bloody sputum, chest pain, difficulty breathing. Progressive intoxication contributes to the development of acute cardiovascular failure. The outcome of this condition can be stupor and subsequent coma.

Intestinal form characterized by intense sharp pain in the abdomen with severe general intoxication and fever, soon followed by frequent vomiting and diarrhea. The stool is profuse, mixed with mucus and blood. Often - tenesmus (painful urge to defecate). Considering the wide distribution of other intestinal infections, the question has not yet been resolved: is intestinal plague an independent form of the disease that develops as a result of microorganisms entering the intestines, or is it associated with the activation of intestinal flora.

Diagnosis of plague

Due to the special danger of infection and the extremely high susceptibility to the microorganism, the pathogen is isolated in specially equipped laboratories. Material is collected from buboes, carbuncles, ulcers, sputum and mucus from the oropharynx. It is possible to isolate the pathogen from the blood. Specific bacteriological diagnostics are carried out to confirm clinical diagnosis, or, with prolonged intense fever in patients, in an epidemiological focus.

Serological diagnosis of plague can be made using RNGA, ELISA, RNAT, RNAG and RTPGA. It is possible to isolate the DNA of the plague bacillus using PCR. Non-specific methods diagnostics - blood and urine tests (a picture of acute bacterial infection), in the pulmonary form - x-ray of the lungs (signs of pneumonia are noted).

Treatment of plague

Treatment is carried out in specialized infectious diseases departments of the hospital, under conditions of strict isolation. Etiotropic therapy is carried out with antibacterial agents in accordance with clinical form diseases. The duration of the course takes 7-10 days.

For the cutaneous form, co-trimoxazole is prescribed, for the bubonic form, intravenous chloramphenicol with streptomycin. Tetracycline antibiotics can also be used. Tetracycline or doxycycline is supplemented with a complex of chloramphenicol and streptomycin for plague pneumonia and sepsis.

Nonspecific therapy includes a complex of detoxification measures (intravenous infusion of saline solutions, dextran, albumin, plasma) in combination with forced diuresis, agents that help improve microcirculation (pentoxifylline). If necessary, cardiovascular, bronchodilator, and antipyretic drugs are prescribed.

Prognosis for plague

Currently in conditions modern hospitals When antibacterial agents are used, the mortality rate from plague is quite low - no more than 5-10%. Early health care, prevention of generalization contributes to recovery without significant consequences. In rare cases, transient plague sepsis (fulminant form of plague) develops, which is difficult to diagnose and treat, often resulting in rapid death.

Prevention of plague

Currently, in developed countries, infection is practically absent, therefore, the main preventive measures are aimed at eliminating the import of the pathogen from epidemiologically dangerous regions and sanitizing natural foci. Specific prevention consists of vaccination with a live plague vaccine, administered to the population in areas with an unfavorable epidemiological situation (prevalence of plague among rodents, cases of infection of domestic animals) and to persons traveling to regions with an increased risk of infection.

Identification of a plague patient is an indication for taking urgent measures to isolate him. In case of forced contact with sick people, personal preventative means are used - anti-plague suits. Contact persons are observed for 6 days; in case of contact with a patient with pneumonic plague, prophylactic antibiotic therapy is administered. Patients are discharged from the hospital no earlier than 4 weeks after clinical recovery and negative tests for bacterial excretion (for the pulmonary form - after 6 weeks).

The culprits of the most massive deaths in history are not the politicians who started the wars. Pandemics have caused the greatest loss of life and suffering terrible diseases. How did it happen and where is plague, smallpox, typhus, leprosy, cholera now?

Historical facts about the plague

The plague pandemic brought the most massive mortality in the middle of the 14th century, sweeping across Eurasia and, according to the most conservative estimates of historians, killing 60 million people. If we consider that at that time the world's population was only 450 million, then one can imagine the catastrophic scale of the “Black Death,” as this disease was called. In Europe, the population decreased by about a third, and the labor shortage was felt here for at least another 100 years, farms were abandoned, the economy was in a terrible state. In all subsequent centuries, major outbreaks of plague were also observed, the last of which was noted in 1910-1911 in the northeastern part of China.

Origin of the name of the plague

The names come from Arabic. The Arabs called the plague “jummah,” which translated means “ball” or “bean.” The reason for this was appearance inflamed lymph node of a plague patient - bubo.

Methods of spread and symptoms of plague

There are three forms of plague: bubonic, pneumonic and septicemic. All of them are caused by one bacterium, Yersinia pestis, or, more simply, the plague bacillus. Its carriers are rodents with anti-plague immunity. And the fleas that have bitten these rats, also through a bite, transmit it to humans. The bacterium infects the flea's esophagus, as a result of which it becomes blocked, and the insect becomes eternally hungry, bites everyone and immediately infects it through the resulting wound.

Methods of combating plague

In medieval times the plague swollen lymph nodes(buboes) were cut out or cauterized by opening them. Plague was considered a type of poisoning in which some poisonous miasma entered the human body, so treatment consisted of taking antidotes known at that time, for example, crushed jewelry. Nowadays, the plague is successfully overcome with the help of common antibiotics.

The plague is now

Every year, about 2.5 thousand people become infected with the plague, but this is no longer in the form of a mass epidemic, but cases all over the world. But the plague bacillus is constantly evolving, and old medicines are not effective. Therefore, although everything, one might say, is under the control of doctors, the threat of catastrophe still exists. An example of this is the death of a person registered in Madagascar in 2007 from a strain of the plague bacillus, in which 8 types of antibiotics did not help.

SMALLPOX

Historical facts about smallpox

During the Middle Ages, there were not many women who did not have signs of smallpox lesions on their faces (pockmarks), and the rest had to hide the scars under a thick layer of makeup. This influenced the fashion of excessive interest in cosmetics, which has survived to this day. According to philologists, all women today with letter combinations in their surnames “ryab” (Ryabko, Ryabinina, etc.), shadar and often generous (Shchedrins, Shadrins), Koryav (Koryavko, Koryaeva, Koryachko) had ancestors sporting pockmarks (rowans, generous, etc., depending on the dialect). Approximate statistics exist for the 17th-18th centuries and indicate that in Europe alone, 10 million new smallpox patients appeared, and for 1.5 million of them it was death. Thanks to this infection, the white man colonized both Americas. For example, the Spaniards brought smallpox to Mexico in the 16th century, because of which about 3 million of the local population died - the invaders had no one left to fight with.

Origin of the name smallpox

“Smallpox” and “rash” have the same root. In English, smallpox is called smallpox. And syphilis is called a great rash (great pox).

Methods of spread and symptoms of smallpox

After entering the human body, smallpox varionas (Variola major and Variola) lead to the appearance of blisters-pustules on the skin, the places of formation of which then scar, if the person survives, of course. The disease spreads through airborne droplets, and the virus also remains active in scales from the skin of an infected person.

Methods to combat smallpox

The Hindus brought rich gifts to the smallpox goddess Mariatela to appease her. Residents of Japan, Europe and Africa believed in the smallpox demon's fear of the color red: patients had to wear red clothes and be in a room with red walls. In the twentieth century, smallpox began to be treated with antiviral drugs.

Smallpox in modern times

In 1979, WHO officially announced that smallpox completely eradicated thanks to vaccination of the population. But in countries such as the USA and Russia, pathogens are still stored. This is done “for scientific research,” and the question of the complete destruction of these reserves is constantly being raised. It is possible that North Korea and Iran are secretly storing smallpox virions. Any international conflict could give rise to the use of these viruses as weapons. So it's better to get vaccinated against smallpox.

CHOLERA

Historical facts about cholera

This intestinal infection Until the end of the 18th century, it mostly bypassed Europe and raged in the Ganges Delta. But then there were changes in climate, invasions of European colonialists in Asia, transportation of goods and people improved, and this all changed the situation: in 1817-1961, six cholera pandemics occurred in Europe. The most massive one (the third) took the lives of 2.5 million people.

Origin of the name cholera

The words “cholera” come from the Greek “bile” and “flow” (in reality, all the fluid from the inside flowed out of the patient). The second name for cholera due to the characteristic blue color of the skin of patients is “blue death”.

Methods of spread and symptoms of cholera

Vibrio cholera is a bacterium called Vibrio choleare that lives in water bodies. When she gets into small intestine to a person, it releases enterotoxin, which leads to profuse diarrhea and then vomiting. In severe cases of the disease, the body becomes dehydrated so quickly that the patient dies a few hours after the first symptoms appear.

Methods to combat cholera

They applied samovars or irons to the feet of the sick to warm them, gave them chicory and malt infusions to drink, and rubbed their bodies with camphor oil. During the epidemic, they believed that it was possible to scare away the disease with a belt made of red flannel or wool. Nowadays, people with cholera are effectively treated with antibiotics, and for dehydration they are given oral fluids or special salt solutions are administered intravenously.

Cholera now

WHO says the world is now in its seventh cholera pandemic, dating back to 1961. So far, it is mostly residents of poor countries who get sick, primarily in South Asia and Africa, where 3-5 million people get sick every year and 100-120 thousand of them do not survive. Also, according to experts, due to global negative changes in environment serious problems will soon arise with clean water and in developed countries. In addition, global warming will cause cholera outbreaks in nature to appear in more northern regions of the planet. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine against cholera.

TIF

Historical facts about typhus

Until the second half of the 19th century centuries, this was the name given to all diseases in which severe fever and confusion in consciousness were observed. Among them, the most dangerous were typhus, typhoid and relapsing fever. Sypnoy, for example, in 1812 almost halved Napoleon’s 600,000-strong army, which invaded Russian territory, which was one of the reasons for his defeat. And a century later, in 1917-1921, 3 million citizens died of typhus Russian Empire. Relapsing fever mainly caused grief to the inhabitants of Africa and Asia; in 1917-1918, about half a million people in India alone died from it.

Origin of the name typhus

The name of the disease comes from the Greek “typhos”, which means “fog”, “confused consciousness”.

Methods of spread and symptoms of typhus

Typhus causes small pink rashes on the skin. When the attack returns after the first attack, the patient seems to feel better for 4-8 days, but then the disease knocks him down again. Typhoid fever is an intestinal infection that is accompanied by diarrhea.

The bacteria that cause typhus and relapsing fever are carried by lice, and for this reason, outbreaks of these infections break out in crowded places during humanitarian disasters. When bitten by one of these creatures, it is important not to scratch – it is through scratched wounds that the infection enters the blood. Typhoid fever is caused by the Salmonella typhi bacillus, which, when ingested through food and water, leads to damage to the intestines, liver and spleen.

Methods to combat typhus

During the Middle Ages, it was believed that the source of infection was the stench that emanated from the patient. Judges in Britain who had to deal with criminals with typhus wore boutonnieres of strong-smelling flowers as a means of protection, and also distributed them to those who came to court. The benefit from this was only aesthetic. Since the 17th century, attempts have been made to combat typhus with the help of cinchona bark, imported from South America. This is how all diseases that caused fever were treated back then. Nowadays, antibiotics are quite successful in treating typhus.

Typhoid in now

Relapsing fever and typhus were removed from the WHO list of particularly dangerous diseases in 1970. This happened thanks to active struggle with pediculosis (lice), which was carried out throughout the planet. But typhoid fever continues to cause troubles for people. The most suitable conditions for the development of an epidemic are heat, insufficient quantities drinking water and the presence of hygiene problems. Therefore, the main candidates for the outbreak of typhoid epidemics are Africa, South Asia and Latin America. Reviewed by Ministry of Health specialists every year typhoid fever 20 million people become infected and for 800 thousand of them it is fatal.

LEPROSY

Historical facts about leprosy

Also called leprosy, it is a “slow disease.” Unlike the plague, for example, it did not spread in the form of pandemics, but quietly and gradually conquered space. At the beginning of the 13th century, there were 19 thousand leper colonies in Europe (an institution for isolating lepers and fighting the disease) and the victims were millions. By the beginning of the 14th century, the mortality rate from leprosy had dropped sharply, but hardly because they had learned to treat patients. It’s just that the incubation period for this disease is 2-20 years. Infections like plague and cholera that raged in Europe killed many people even before he was classified as a leper. Thanks to the development of medicine and hygiene, there are now no more than 200 thousand lepers in the world. They mainly live in the countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Origin of the name leprosy

The name comes from the Greek word “leprosy,” which translates to “a disease that makes the skin scaly.” Leprosy was called in Rus' - from the word “kazit”, i.e. lead to distortion and disfigurement. This disease also has a number of other names, such as Phoenician disease, “lazy death”, Hansen’s disease, etc.

Methods of spread and symptoms of leprosy

It is possible to become infected with leprosy only by long-term contact with the skin of a carrier of the infection, as well as by ingestion of it. liquid discharge(saliva or from the nose). Then quite a long time passes (the recorded record is 40 years), after which the Hansen bacillus (Mucobacterium leprae) first disfigures the person, covering him with spots and growths on the skin, and then makes him an invalid rotting alive. Also, the peripheral nervous system is damaged and the patient loses the ability to feel pain. You can take and cut off a part of your body without understanding where it went.

Methods to combat leprosy

During the Middle Ages, lepers were declared dead while they were still alive and placed in leprosariums - a kind of concentration camps, where patients were doomed to a slow death. They tried to treat the infected with solutions that included gold, bloodletting and baths with the blood of giant turtles. Nowadays, this disease can be completely eliminated with the help of antibiotics.

(No ratings yet)