Which aminoglycoside can be used to treat Yersinia pestis, tularemia, and tuberculosis (TB)?

Streptomycin is the aminoglycoside that is particularly effective against Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague, and it is also utilized in the treatment of tularemia and tuberculosis (TB). This medication works by inhibiting protein synthesis in bacteria, which is crucial for bacterial growth and multiplication. Streptomycin is notably included in the treatment regimens for both TB and tularemia due to its effectiveness against these specific pathogens.

In the context of Yersinia pestis, streptomycin has a long history of use, especially during outbreaks of plague. It acts rapidly to control the bacterial infection. For tuberculosis, it is part of multi-drug therapy, emphasizing the importance of using appropriate combinations of antimicrobials to effectively treat resistant strains and prevent treatment failure.

Other aminoglycosides, such as gentamicin and amikacin, have varying spectrums of activity but are not the first-line treatments for these specific infections. Neomycin is mainly used for topical infections and is not suitable for systemic use due to its toxicity profile. This specificity makes streptomycin the correct answer for treating the aforementioned conditions effectively.