Plague alters cell death to kill host

The bacteria that cause pneumonic plague can subvert apoptotic cell death by directly destroying Fas ligand, and the way it does this has been the focus of new research. The effect is a disrupted immune response during infection, which allows Y. pestis to overwhelm the lungs, causing death. Pneumonic plague is unique in that it is the only type of plague with an ability to spread from person to person. It is treatable if caught early, but after 24 hours, antibiotics are rendered useless.