ICD-10 Specific code A20.0: Bubonic plague

Tetracyclines have a broad spectrum of anti-microbial activity and act by interfering with bacterial protein synthesis. They are active against a large number of gram positive and gram negative pathogenic bacteria, including some which are resistant to penicillin.

Doxycycline is primarily bacteriostatic and is believed to exert its antimicrobial effect by the inhibition of protein synthesis.

Minocycline is a semi-synthetic derivative of tetracycline. Minocycline inhibits protein synthesis in susceptible bacteria. In common with other tetracyclines it is primarily bacteriostatic and has a similar spectrum of activity to other tetracyclines.

Ofloxacin is a quinolone-carboxylic acid derivative with a wide range of antibacterial activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive organisms. The primary mode of action of the quinolones is the specific inhibition of bacterial DNA gyrase. This enzyme is required for DNA replication, transcription, repair and recombination.

Streptomycin is a broad spectrum aminoglycoside antibiotic derived from Streptomyces griseus with antibacterial activity. It acts by interfering with normal protein synthesis. Streptomycin is typically used for treatment of active tuberculosis, always in combination with other antituberculosis agents.