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Cited by 191Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites researchZoonotic diseases and public healthBacillus and Francisella bacterial research

Cases of Cat-Associated Human Plague in the Western US, 1977-1998

Gage, K. L., Dennis, D. T., Orloski, K. A., Ettestad, P., Brown, T. L., Reynolds, P. J., Pape, W. J., Fritz, C. L. +2 more·2000·Clinical Infectious Diseases
DOI 10.1086/313804
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Abstract

Exposure to cats infected with Yersinia pestis is a recently recognized risk for human plague in the US. Twenty-three cases of cat-associated human plague (5 of which were fatal) occurred in 8 western states from 1977 through 1998, which represent 7.7% of the total 297 cases reported in that period. Bites, scratches, or other contact with infectious materials while handling infected cats resulted in 17 cases of bubonic plague, 1 case of primary septicemic plague, and 5 cases of primary pneumonic plague. The 5 fatal cases were associated with misdiagnosis or delays in seeking treatment, which resulted in overwhelming infection and various manifestations of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Unlike infections acquired by flea bites, the occurrence of cat-associated human plague did not increase significantly during summer months. Plague epizootics in rodents also were observed less frequently at exposure sites for cases of cat-associated human plague than at exposure sites for other cases. The risk of cat-associated human plague is likely to increase as residential development continues in areas where plague foci exist in the western US. Enhanced awareness is needed for prompt diagnosis and treatment.

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Crossref · 10.1086/313804

Cites

25 of 25 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • The plague-causing bacterium Yersinia pestis circulates in rodent populations mainly through bites of the oriental rat flea Xenopsilla cheopis, which may also feed on pets and human beings.

    “The plague-causing bacterium Yersinia pestis circulates in rodent populations mainly through bites of the “oriental rat flea” Xenopsilla cheopis, which may also feed on pets and human beings.”

    From Fleas infesting pets in the era of emerging extra-intestinal nematodes (2013) · cites this paper as [21]

  • Cats are a potential source of plague, while dogs appear to be less susceptible to Yersinia pestis.

    “Cats are a potential source of plague, while dogs appear to be less susceptible to Y. pestis[9,21].”

    From Fleas infesting pets in the era of emerging extra-intestinal nematodes (2013) · cites this paper as [21]

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Authors
Gage, K. L., Dennis, D. T., Orloski, K. A., Ettestad, P., Brown, T. L., Reynolds, P. J., Pape, W. J., Fritz, C. L., Carter, L. G., & Stein, J. D.
Affiliations
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US)
  • Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (US)
  • New Mexico Department of Health (US)
  • California Health and Human Services Agency (US)
Corresponding author
Gage, K. L.
Venue
Clinical Infectious Diseases
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2000-06-01
Volume
30
Issue
6
Pages
893-900
ISSN
  • 1058-4838 (ISSN-L)
  • 1537-6591
DOI
10.1086/313804
OpenAlex
W2163120375
Cited by
191
References
25
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 12
FWCI
2.14
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Clinical Infectious Diseases (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Zoonotic diseases and public health
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Bacillus and Francisella bacterial research
Keywords
Yersinia pestis, bubonic plague, septicemic plague, pneumonic plague, zoonotic transmission, plague epizootics, misdiagnosis, treatment delay, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, plague foci, American West
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Animals, Cat Diseases, Cats, Child, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Plague, Risk Factors, United States, Yersinia pestis, Zoonoses

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