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Biofilm-Dependent and Biofilm-Independent Mechanisms of Transmission of Yersinia pestis by Fleas

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Advances in Yersinia Research

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 954))

Abstract

Transmission of Yersinia pestis by fleas occurs by two basic mechanisms. The mechanism of early-phase transmission during the first week after the infectious blood meal has not been defined but does not depend on the ability of Y. pestis to grow in the form of a biofilm in the flea. In contrast, the second mechanism occurs only after Y. pestis has produced sufficient biofilm in the flea’s proventricular valve to interfere with normal blood feeding. In this review, I compare some of the knowns and unknowns regarding these two modes of transmission and discuss possible mechanisms for early-phase transmission.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Division of Intramural Research, NIAID, NIH.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Zoonotic Pathogens, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Hamilton, MT, 59840, USA

    B. Joseph Hinnebusch

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  1. B. Joseph Hinnebusch
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Correspondence to B. Joseph Hinnebusch .

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  1. , Centro de Pesquisa Aggeu Magalhães, Campus da UFPE, Recife, 50670, Brazil

    Alzira Maria Paiva de Almeida

  2. , Centro de Pesquisa Aggeu Magalhães, Campus da UFPE, Recife, 50670-420, Brazil

    Nilma Cintra Leal

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Hinnebusch, B.J. (2012). Biofilm-Dependent and Biofilm-Independent Mechanisms of Transmission of Yersinia pestis by Fleas. In: de Almeida, A., Leal, N. (eds) Advances in Yersinia Research. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 954. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3561-7_30

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