Prophylaxis for health personnel working in plague ward is –
**Core Concept**
The question requires knowledge of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for plague, a zoonotic infection caused by Yersinia pestis. Effective PEP involves administering antibiotics to prevent disease in individuals exposed to the pathogen, in this case, healthcare workers in a plague ward.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer is **streptomycin**. This antibiotic is effective against Yersinia pestis and is used as part of post-exposure prophylaxis for plague. Streptomycin works by inhibiting protein synthesis in bacteria, ultimately leading to cell death. Its use in plague PEP is based on its efficacy in treating plague and its ability to penetrate tissues, including the lymph nodes where Yersinia pestis typically replicates.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is not relevant to plague PEP. **Option B:** While doxycycline is used for plague treatment, it is not the preferred choice for PEP due to its pharmacokinetics and potential for resistance. **Option C:** This option is incorrect as ciprofloxacin is not the first-line choice for plague PEP.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
In addition to streptomycin, ciprofloxacin and doxycycline are also used as alternative agents for plague PEP. However, the choice of antibiotic should be guided by local resistance patterns and the specific circumstances of the exposure.
**Correct Answer:** A. Streptomycin