Background and Significance: Research Proposal Part 1
This is Part One of my research proposal, which contains a brief, background information of my topic.
Yersinia pestis doesn’t sound any alarms when referred to in binomial nomenclature. However, this bacterium causes a severe and fatal illness with a more well-known, negatively connotated name: Plague. Rightfully so, Yersinia pestis has caused the deaths of millions of humans worldwide over the course of its existence. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 50 million deaths in Europe alone were caused by Plague in the Middle Ages.
Bubonic
Plague, Pneumonic Plague, and Septicemic Plague are the three different
manifestations of the infection. Transmissions vary between the three illnesses.
Bubonic Plague comprises 80% of all cases of Plague (CDC, 2019). It is
primarily transmitted via bites from flea carriers that typically survive on various
mammal hosts, a majority of which are rodents (CDC, 2019). When Plague develops
in Pneumonic form, it is transmissible from person-to-person in respiratory
droplets (Butler, 2017). As we are witnessing in our current pandemic, an
uncontained respiratory disease can claim lives and spread within densely
populated communities at an alarming rate.
Throughout history, epidemics of Plague
have appeared in waves wreaking havoc on numerous populations across the globe.
Fortunately, advancements in sanitation, medicine, and prevention awareness have
decreased the prevalent threat of Yersinia pestis. Immediate diagnosis
and treatment can ultimately overcome the imminent fatality of infection. Therefore,
that poses the question, “Is further research necessary on an illness that is
well studied, treatable, and has decreased fatalities?”
The answer lies within current data. Within
the five years between 2005 and 2010, the Plague’s 3,248 cases were reported
along with 548 deaths (WHO, 2017). In 2017, the CDC recorded sixteen Plague
cases and four consequent deaths solely in the United States. While these
numbers seem relatively small, there is a notable feature of the CDC’s 2017 data
set. Most of those cases occurred in the four-corner region of the southwest
(CDC, 2019).
This map is derived from the https://www.cdc.gov/plague/maps/index.html
In July of this year, a human Plague case appeared in Navajo County of Northern Arizona. While already enduring a pandemic, I felt this sole case warranted a pursuit of more knowledge on my behalf; especially, considering its geographical closeness to my community. Upon researching, I found that outbreaks of Plague are common throughout the world, just not on the scale that it once was. Analyzing different maps of reported human cases, I concluded that warmer locations appear to contain more cases. Leading me to question the seasonality of infection and environmental conditions that allow the bacteria, fleas, and rodent carriers to thrive and reproduce.
Although
Plague doesn’t account for millions of deaths like in the Middle Ages, cases of
the disease have not ceased, and the bacteria have not been decimated nor disappeared
over time. Infectious diseases that cause severe illness and death warrant
continual research even when cases are minimal. The more understanding we gain
of Plague, the better we can prevent or eliminate outbreaks, cases, or deaths within
our community. Then, we can potentially save human lives worldwide.
Thanks for reading! This is only the first section of my proposal. There will be more to come. This is my first proposal and I welcome and appreciate any feedback.
Butler, M.D., T. (2017). Yersinia pestis. Microbes. Antimicrobes.
http://www.antimicrobe.org/ b246.asp
Campbell, S. B., Nelson, C. A., Hinckley, A. F., & Kugeler, K. J. (2019). Animal Exposure and Human Plague, United States, 1970-2017. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 25(12), 2270+. https://link-gale-com.ezproxy.pc.maricopa.edu/apps/doc/A615236488/SCIC?=mcc_phoe &sid=SCIC&xid=46d86dce
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2019). Plague. https://www.cdc.gov/plague/maps/ index.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2017). NNDSS - Table I. infrequently reported notifiable diseases. Data.CDC.gov. https://data.cdc.gov/NNDSS/NNDSS-Table-I-infrequently- reported-notifiable-dis/45b4-9j7u/data
Collinge, S., Cully, Jr. J., Johnson, T., Ray, C. (2010). Disease Limits Populations: Plague and Black- Tailed Prairie Dogs. Vector Borne and Zoonotic Diseases. National Center for Biotechnolody Information. National Library of Science. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ pmc/articles/PMC2945311/
Dennis, D., Mead, P. (2009). Plague. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Public Library of Science. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7152251/#bib26
Sussman, G. (2015). Scientists doing history: Central Africa and the origins of the first plague pandemic. Journal of World History. 26(2), 325+. https://link-gale-com.ezproxy.pc. maricopa.edu/apps/doc/A455415406/WHIC?u=mcc_phoe&sid=WHIC&xid=4dfec967
World Health Organization (2017). Plague. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ plague
Very informed background. I see that your project is going to be based on the seasonal occurrence of the plague. I look forward to seeing the methods that you'll apply to conduct your research. Very good so far.
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