U.S. researchers have discovered a medical method that could potentially protect people from bubonic plague, a disease that has gained increased attention as concerns of bioterrorism have risen over the last few months, according to Vaccine Weekly (see GSN, Nov. 6, 2001).

Matthew Nilles, a researcher at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, is studying the molecular level of Yersinia pestis, the bacteria that causes bubonic plague.

The bacteria kills cells by injecting toxins into them.  Nilles and other researchers have discovered two proteins that together allow scientists to “get the toxins out of the bacteria.”  The research might also allow scientists to develop more effective antibiotics, he said.

“If you immunize mice with this protein and then inject them with lethal doses of Yersinia pestis, they’re protected from the disease,” Nilles said.

Focus on Plague

Before the Sept. 11 attacks there was little interest in the plague, which killed millions of Europeans in the 14^th century but now only results in 3,000 cases worldwide each year, Nilles said.  Fear of terrorism, however, has changed that.

“There are a couple of reasons why,” he said.  “First, it’s one of the three leading candidates for bioterrorism or biological warfare weaponry.  Second, it’s a very good disease model, which is my interest.”

Other Applications

An advantage to studying Yersinia bacteria is the potential for applying the research to other diseases, such as salmonella and dysentery.

“The bacteria have unique properties that allow us to do things and see things that you can’t see in other diseases,” said Nilles (Vaccine Weekly, April 3).

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