This article is from the WSSF 2014 AFRMA Rat & Mouse Tales news-magazine.

Researchers at the University of Chicago propose using Brown Norway rats as an alternative model to mice in the development of a pneumonic plague vaccine. This is due to their larger size and epidemiological association with Yersenia pestis infection. Their disease progression is similar to humans with the pneumonic plague.

In a more recent study, scientists have now identified a single component of the plague-causing bacterium that can be used as a vaccine. This single subunit could potentially be used to create a safer form of a T cell-stimulating plague vaccine. There is still no licensed plague vaccine in the United States.

Article on ScienceDaily www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090223121502.htm.