Pneumonic plague is caused by which organism?

Study for the NBME Microbiology Test. Utilize flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with explanations. Prepare confidently for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Pneumonic plague is caused by which organism?

Explanation:
Pneumonic plague is caused by Yersinia pestis, a small gram-negative coccobacillus that can reach the lungs and cause acute pneumonia. It is often transmitted via inhalation of infectious droplets and can spread rapidly between people, making prompt antibiotic treatment crucial. The other organisms listed cause different diseases: Bacillus anthracis leads to anthrax, Francisella tularensis causes tularemia, and Brucella melitensis causes brucellosis. Therefore, Yersinia pestis is the agent responsible for pneumonic plague.

Pneumonic plague is caused by Yersinia pestis, a small gram-negative coccobacillus that can reach the lungs and cause acute pneumonia. It is often transmitted via inhalation of infectious droplets and can spread rapidly between people, making prompt antibiotic treatment crucial. The other organisms listed cause different diseases: Bacillus anthracis leads to anthrax, Francisella tularensis causes tularemia, and Brucella melitensis causes brucellosis. Therefore, Yersinia pestis is the agent responsible for pneumonic plague.

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