Role of immune response in Yersinia pestis infection

Amedeo Amedei; Elena Niccolai; Luigi Marino; Mario Milco D'Elios

doi:10.3855/jidc.1999

Role of immune response in Yersinia pestis infection

Authors

Amedeo Amedei Department of Internal Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
Elena Niccolai Department of Internal Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
Luigi Marino Department of Internal Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
Mario Milco D'Elios Department of Internal Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.1999

Keywords:

Yersinia pestis, innate immunity, adaptive immunity

Abstract

Yersinia pestis (Y. Pestis) is an infamous pathogen causing plague pandemics throughout history and is a selected agent of bioterrorism threatening public health. Y. pestis was first isolated by Alexandre Yersin in 1894 in Hong Kong and in the years to follow from all continents. Plague is enzootic in different rodents and their fleas in Africa, North and South America, and Asia such as Middle/Far East and ex-USSR countries.

Comprehending the multifaceted interaction between Y. pestis and the host immune system will enable us design more effective vaccines.

Innate immune response and both component (humoral and cellular) of adaptive immune response contribute to host defense against Y.pestis infection, but the bacterium possess different mechanisms to counteract the immune response.

The aims of this review are to analyze the role of immune response versus Yersinia pestis infection and to highlight the various stratagems adopted by Y. pestis to escape the immunological defenses.

Author Biography

Amedeo Amedei, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy

Department of Internal Merdicine

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Published

2011-06-15

How to Cite

Amedei A, Niccolai E, Marino L, D’Elios MM (2011) Role of immune response in Yersinia pestis infection. J Infect Dev Ctries 5:628–639. doi: 10.3855/jidc.1999

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Issue

Vol. 5 No. 09: September 2011

Section

Reviews

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