There has been a longstanding debate among scientists about the role of body lice in the spread of the bacteria that caused the deadly plague known as the Black Death during the Middle Ages.
While rat fleas are known to have played a major role, some studies suggest that their bites alone may not have been enough to cause the epidemic that killed millions of people in the 14th century. A new study published in PLOS Biology suggests that body lice may have transmitted the plague bacterium Yersinia pestis more efficiently than previously thought, contributing to the increased numbers of the bubonic plague during the pandemic.
Body lice are parasites that can spread diseases, particularly in crowded environments, while head lice are more common in the United States and usually affect school-age children. Both insects feed on human blood.
Lead author Joe Hinnebusch, a former senior research scientist, conducted research at the Bacteriology Laboratory of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in Montana. Studies suggest that other blood-sucking insects may have been involved in the spread of the plague during the Middle Ages.
Researchers found that body lice were more efficient at transmitting the plague bacterium than human fleas in laboratory experiments. Infected body lice were able to transmit the bacteria through feeding on sterile blood samples, highlighting their role in the transmission of the disease.
In the United States, plague cases are rare but still reported. Infections are mainly contracted through prairie dog fleas and can be cured with prompt medical attention and antibiotic treatment.
Inhaling the bacteria in a dusty environment can lead to pneumonia and fatal illness within a few days, emphasizing the importance of prevention and treatment.
Source: www.nbcnews.com
