Traitorous protein helps Pneumonic Plague

The pneumonic plague is simply an infection. However, it is caused by extremely fast moving bacteria, Yersinia pestis, and the speed is deadly. Researches at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have identified a protein, plasminogen activator, that helps Pneumonic Plague spread throughout the body. When the body identifies an infection, red blood cells cluster to the infected area and surround the infection with a clot. Scientists believe that the clot is a form of isolation for the infection. However, the Yersinia pestis utilize a protease protein, plasminogen activator, to break through the blood clot. Experiments have shown that in mice containing a low amount of plasminogen activators the plague, though still deadly, kills somewhat more slowly, allowing physicians enough time to administer the antibiotics. Knowledge of the role of plasminogen activators in pneumonic plague will lead to a treatment for the plague in its early stages, before it is too late to administer antibiotics.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/01/070125142236.htm