Nature of
the disease
the disease
Anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused
by gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria known as Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax can
be found naturally in soil and commonly affects domestic and wild animals
around the world. People can get sick with anthrax if they come in contact with
infected animals or contaminated animal products. Contact with anthrax can
cause severe illness in both humans and animals. Anthrax is not
contagious, which means you can’t catch it like the cold or flu.
by gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria known as Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax can
be found naturally in soil and commonly affects domestic and wild animals
around the world. People can get sick with anthrax if they come in contact with
infected animals or contaminated animal products. Contact with anthrax can
cause severe illness in both humans and animals. Anthrax is not
contagious, which means you can’t catch it like the cold or flu.
People get infected with anthrax when spores get
into the body. When anthrax spores get inside the body, they can be
“activated.” When they become active, the bacteria can multiply, spread out in
the body, produce toxins (poisons), and cause severe illness. This can happen
when people breathe in spores, eat food or drink water that is contaminated
with spores, or get spores in a cut or scrape in the skin.
into the body. When anthrax spores get inside the body, they can be
“activated.” When they become active, the bacteria can multiply, spread out in
the body, produce toxins (poisons), and cause severe illness. This can happen
when people breathe in spores, eat food or drink water that is contaminated
with spores, or get spores in a cut or scrape in the skin.
Causative agent of
anthrax
anthrax
Bacillus anthracis is the causative agent of anthrax
Clinical features of
anthrax
anthrax
The clinical features depend on the form of anthrax.
Anthrax occurs in four forms: skin, inhalation, intestinal, and injection. The
skin form presents with a small blister with surrounding swelling that often
turns into a painless ulcer with a black center. The inhalation form presents
with fever, chest pain, and shortness of breath. The intestinal form presents
with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain. The injection form presents
with fever and an abscess at the site of drug injection.
Anthrax occurs in four forms: skin, inhalation, intestinal, and injection. The
skin form presents with a small blister with surrounding swelling that often
turns into a painless ulcer with a black center. The inhalation form presents
with fever, chest pain, and shortness of breath. The intestinal form presents
with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain. The injection form presents
with fever and an abscess at the site of drug injection.
Signs and symptoms of anthrax
Signs and symptoms of
anthrax include:
anthrax include:
·
A raised,
itchy bump resembling an insect bite that quickly develops into a painless sore
with a black center
A raised,
itchy bump resembling an insect bite that quickly develops into a painless sore
with a black center
·
Swelling
in the sore and nearby lymph glands
Swelling
in the sore and nearby lymph glands
·
Nausea
Nausea
·
Vomiting
Vomiting
·
Abdominal
pain
Abdominal
pain
·
Headache
Headache
·
Loss of
appetite
Loss of
appetite
·
Fever
Fever
·
Severe,
bloody diarrhea in the later stages of the disease
Severe,
bloody diarrhea in the later stages of the disease
·
Sore
throat and difficulty swallowing
Sore
throat and difficulty swallowing
·
Swollen
neck
Swollen
neck
Diagnosis of anthrax
Diagnosis for anthrax
includes:
includes:
·
Skin
testing: A sample of fluid from a
suspicious lesion on the skin or a small tissue sample (biopsy) may be tested
in the lab for signs of anthrax.
Skin
testing: A sample of fluid from a
suspicious lesion on the skin or a small tissue sample (biopsy) may be tested
in the lab for signs of anthrax.
·
Blood
tests: A small amount of blood
drawn is checked in a lab for anthrax bacteria.
Blood
tests: A small amount of blood
drawn is checked in a lab for anthrax bacteria.
·
Chest
X-ray or computerized tomography (CT) scan: A chest X-ray or CT scan to help diagnose inhalation
anthrax.
Chest
X-ray or computerized tomography (CT) scan: A chest X-ray or CT scan to help diagnose inhalation
anthrax.
·
Stool
testing: Checking a sample of stool
for anthrax bacteria.
Stool
testing: Checking a sample of stool
for anthrax bacteria.
·
Spinal
tap (lumbar puncture): Inserting
a needle into the spinal canal and withdrawing a small amount of fluid. A
spinal tap is usually done only to confirm a diagnosis of anthrax meningitis.
Spinal
tap (lumbar puncture): Inserting
a needle into the spinal canal and withdrawing a small amount of fluid. A
spinal tap is usually done only to confirm a diagnosis of anthrax meningitis.
Incubation
period of anthrax
period of anthrax
The incubation period is typically 1 day for
cutaneous anthrax and 1–7 days
for pulmonary anthrax. Evidence from mass exposures indicates that incubation
periods up to 60 days are
possible for pulmonary anthrax (related to the delayed activation of inhaled
spores).
cutaneous anthrax and 1–7 days
for pulmonary anthrax. Evidence from mass exposures indicates that incubation
periods up to 60 days are
possible for pulmonary anthrax (related to the delayed activation of inhaled
spores).
Treatment of anthrax
Treatment for anthrax infection often requires a
combination of antibiotics depending on the areas of the body that are affected
by infection, age, overall health and other factors. Treatment is most
effective when started as soon as possible. Although some cases of anthrax
respond to antibiotics, advanced inhalation anthrax may not. By the later
stages of the disease, the bacteria have often produced more toxins than drugs
can eliminate.
combination of antibiotics depending on the areas of the body that are affected
by infection, age, overall health and other factors. Treatment is most
effective when started as soon as possible. Although some cases of anthrax
respond to antibiotics, advanced inhalation anthrax may not. By the later
stages of the disease, the bacteria have often produced more toxins than drugs
can eliminate.
Prevention of anthrax
Antibiotics are recommended
to prevent infection in anyone exposed to the spores. Others include the use of
anthrax vaccine and avoiding infected
animals.
to prevent infection in anyone exposed to the spores. Others include the use of
anthrax vaccine and avoiding infected
animals.
