A laboratory worker develops acute febrile illness with painful inguinal buboes; blood culture yields Gram-negative bipolar safety-pin bacilli identified as Yersinia pestis. Which aminoglycoside is the traditional drug of choice for plague?

• A Gentamicin
• B Amikacin
• C Tobramycin
• D Streptomycin ✓

Explanation

Streptomycin remains the classic drug of choice for plague and is also first line for tularemia caused by Francisella tularensis, two indications where its older status does not matter because alternatives are less well validated. Amikacin is reserved for gentamicin-resistant Gram-negatives, and tobramycin's niche is enhanced antipseudomonal activity. Gentamicin has been used in plague, but examination convention accepts streptomycin as the answer.

Reference: Katzung Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, 15th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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