MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL

File: 123096_sep96_decls28_0016.txt
Page: 0016
Total Pages: 40

Subject: MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL                     

Unit: OTSG        

Parent Organization: HSC         

Box  ID: BX003203

Folder Title: MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL                                                     

Document Number:          1

Folder Seq  #:         47




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          lymphadenitis involving a node draining the site of
          inoculation. Most commonly, the primary site is inguinal,
          although axillary or cervical nodes may be involved. The
          involved nodes are swollen and tender, becoming fluctuant and
          necrotic. Bubonic plague may progress spontaneously to the
          septicemic form, which may then produce CNS or (less
          frequently) pneumonic disease. onset of primary septicemic
          plague is similar, but without localizing "bubo". Infection by
          flea bite or other cutaneous inoculation would most likely
          produce bubonic or primary septicemic disease in most
          individuals. in primary pneumonic plague, the incubation
          period is shorter (1-6 days). Progressive respiratory
          insufficiency, bloody sputum, and toxemia are typical.
          Patients with pneumonia are highly contagious and should be
          kept in respiratory isolation. Although some patients with
          bubonic or septicemic plague may develop secondary pneumonia as
          the disease process evolves, large numbers of individuals with
          plague pneumonia almost certainly would indicate inhalation of
          organisms delivered via aerosol.


          p

               Routing Laboratogy Fi         Examination of bubo
             aspirate, sputum, or cerebrospinal fluid by gram stain will
             reveal numerous organisms typical morphologically of
             Xersinia pestis.

             0                        . Bubonic plague should be
             suspected in large numbers of individuals with similar
             findings of fever, malaise, and tender lymphadenopathy. An
             epidemic of pneumonic plague in its early stages could be
             confused with tularemia, anthrax, or SEB; continued
             deterioration without stabilization effectively rules out
, culture, and presence
             of the plague Fl antigen in blood specimens provide more
             specific evidence of plague.

             . qn              tory Diaanosis. Ynrninia postis can be
             readily cultured from blood, sputum, and bubo aspirates.
             Presumptive diagnosis can be made by gram stain and (if
             available) immunofluroscent staining. Most naturally
             occurring strains of Y. pestis an "Fl" antigen in-vivo,
             which can be detected in serum samples by immunoassays
             available in field diagnosis laboratories.


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                                        UNCLASSIFIED

Document 40 f:/Week-36/BX003203/MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL/medical defense against biological material:12179609282229
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-36
Box ID = BX003203
Unit = OTSG
Parent Organization = HSC
Folder Title = MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL
Folder Seq # = 47
Subject = MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL
Document Seq # = 1
Document Date =
Scan Date =
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 17-DEC-1996