Plague

Plague is an acute infection caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis and presents in bubonic, pneumonic, or septicemic forms. It is life-threatening without prompt treatment, so therapy begins immediately when plague is suspected.

ICD-10 A201 drug

Also known as: Yersinia pestis infection, Bubonic plague, Pneumonic plague

Drugs used for this condition

AGentamicinFirst line · Aminoglycoside antibioticGentamicin is a first-line agent for plague alongside streptomycin: aminoglycosides are recommended as primary parenteral therapy by the CDC (MMWR, 2021) and WHO (2021) guidelines. Treatment starts immediately when plague is suspected, without waiting for confirmation. In U.S. case series, aminoglycoside monotherapy showed survival of about 84% (systematic review, Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2020). In pregnancy, gentamicin is the preferred aminoglycoside.

How to read tiers A–F

Evidence tiers belong to the drug-indication pair, not to the drug as a whole: the same substance can be A for one condition and F for another.

AStrong evidence – first or second line in international guidelines
BRecommended in selected cases
CStudy data contradict each other
DBenefit not proven, no documented harm
FDocumented harm, or risk without benefit