Plague in Vietnam. Clinical observations and treatment with kanamycin

Abstract

Twenty-three Montagnard tribesmen had plague infections and were hospitalized in the central highlands of Vietnam; their clinical appearances, diagnostic techniques, and kanamycin sulfate therapy were evaluated. Severely ill patients were categorized as When contrasted with patients having bubonic plague, patients with bubonic-septicemic plague had delirium, a higher pulse rate, and a higher white blood cell count and plague bacilli on methylene-blue smears of unspun venous blood. Bacterial staining of lymph-node material and peripheral blood smears was essential for early diagnosis of plague. Results of treatment with kanamycin in 18 patients were similar to those reported with streptomycin sulfate therapy.