--- title: "Pneumonic plague. | Sutter Health" description: "Focus: prevalence, pathogenesis immunity, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, prevention of plague pneumonia, with emphasis on biologic warfare." url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/pneumonic-plague-1055312865" --- 1. [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Research](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research) / 3. [Research publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications) / 4. Pneumonic plague. # Pneumonic plague. Krishna G & Chitkara RK. _Semin Respir Infect. 18(3):159-67._ 2003-09-01 ## Abstract Pneumonic plague, a disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, is a rare disease in the United States and carries a high mortality. Health care professionals in the United States are not familiar with the clinical presentation and diagnosis of plague pneumonia. The wide prevalence of the bacterium in different parts of the world, its high virulence, and its ability to spread by aerosolization makes it a potential agent of biological warfare in the hands of terrorists. This review focuses on the prevalence, pathogenesis immunity, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of plague pneumonia, with particular emphasis on the plague bacillus as an agent of biological warfare. Based on available information, we discuss measures that need to be undertaken by health care personnel, public health personnel, and epidemiologists in the event of such an attack. [PubMed abstract](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14505278) ![Ganesh Krishna, M.D., FCCP](https://dyn.mktgcdn.com/p/7HZoN6h0d4phO4VQYcU6TE-_Cn72_cBpIS3NRGru51E/fit=crop,gravity=auto,dpr=2,width=188,height=250,quality=100) Ganesh Krishna, M.D., FCCP Principal investigator [View profile](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/investigators/ganesh-krishna-md-fccp-1049681082) ## Research topics - [Environmental Exposure](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Environmental+Exposure%5C%22%22) - [Lung Diseases](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Lung+Diseases%5C%22%22) ## Related publications [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) - Publication ### [Transbronchial cryobiopsy: a new tool for lung biopsies.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/transbronchial-cryobiopsy-new-tool-lung-biopsies-1055312940) Babiak A, Hetzel J, Krishna G, Fritz P, Moeller P, Balli T, Hetzel M. Respiration. 78(2):203-8. doi: 10.1159/000203987. 2009 Feb 21 - Publication ### [Differential expression of monocyte/macrophage-selective markers in human idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/monocyte-selective-markers-idiopath-pulm-fibrosis-1055312931) Desai B, Mattson J, Paintal H, Nathan M, Shen F, Beaumont M, Maria-Malinao M-C, Li Y, Canfield J, Basham B, de Waal Malefyt R, McClanahan T, Krishna G, Fick R Jr. Exp Lung Res. 37(4):227-38. doi: 10.3109/01902148.2010.538132. Epub 2011 Feb 11. 2011 May 01 - Publication ### [Minimally invasive techniques for the diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary nodules.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/min-invasive-techniques-peripher-pulm-nodules-1055312945) Krishna G, Gould MK. Curr Opin Pulm Med. 14(4):282-6. doi: 10.1097/MCP.0b013e328303df1b. 2008 Jul 01 - Publication ### [Re: "Operating room sound level hazards for patients and physicians."](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/operating-room-sound-level-hazards-pts-mds-1055312943) Hetzler D. Otol Neurotol. 32(2):345; author reply 345. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0b013e3182040c67. Otol Neurotol. 2011 Feb;32(2):345; author reply 345. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0b013e3182040c67. 2011 Feb 01 - Publication ### [Green roof storm water retention: effects of roof surface, slope, and media depth.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/green-roof-stormwater-retention-1055312932) VanWoert ND, Rowe DB, Andresen JA, Rugh CL, Fernandez RT, Xiao L. J Environ Qual. 34(3):1036-44. Print 2005 May-Jun. 2005 May 11 [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org","logo":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/static/images/sutter-health-logo.svg","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"2200 River Plaza Drive","addressLocality":"Sacramento","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"95833","addressCountry":"US"},"areaServed":{"@type":"AdministrativeArea","name":"California"},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/SutterHealth","https://www.instagram.com/sutterhealth/","https://x.com/SutterHealth","https://www.youtube.com/sutterhealth","https://www.linkedin.com/company/sutter-health","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutter_Health"]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/pneumonic-plague-1055312865#breadcrumblist","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Research publications","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Pneumonic plague."}]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/pneumonic-plague-1055312865#medicalscholarlyarticle","name":"Pneumonic plague.","headline":"Pneumonic plague.","abstract":"Pneumonic plague, a disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, is a rare disease in the United States and carries a high mortality. 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