Anthrax is a disease caused by the microorganism Bacillus anthracis. This primary pathogen is a zoonotic, aerobic, spore-producing bacillus which is gram positive when tested under a microscope1-4. It is particularly dangerous because of its hardy spores which can survive despite exposure to higher temperatures, light, and multiple disinfectants3.
Once the bacteria are picked up by grazing herbivores, the spores begin to germinate and become virulent. As the bacteria continue to develop in the host, it will eventually die3. With human hosts, there are three main methods of transmission: cutaneous, inhalational, and gastrointestinal. A newer, but less common method of transmission is intravenously with injection drug users2,3. When germination …show more content…
Cutaneous anthrax is the most common form of the disease, and is often seen in humans and animals where vaccination and treatment are limited3,4. Typically spores will enter a skin abrasion causing the formation of a painless or itchy papule. There will be a disproportionately large amount of edema, eventually forming a large vesicle that ruptures. From there, an ulcer is formed along with a black eschar, typical in cutaneous anthrax3,4. Patients also tend to experience fever with the infection, but the germination typically remains localized at the lesion site. In some cases where the infection is not treated, Wenner notes that “the spores are carried to regional lymph nodes by the macrophages.” This allows them to replicate quickly and travel through the body via blood and lymph. As a result, there can be high levels of bacteria and toxins throughout the body which result in the development of septicemia and toxemia, respectively. This can ultimately lead to death of the …show more content…
It is caused by inhalation of Bacillus anthracic spores which then deposit in the alveoli. These spores must be less than 5 mm in size3, otherwise they will be transported out of the mucociliary elevator in the upper respiratory tract1. It should be noted that there is no documentation of person-to-person transmission of anthrax, and therefore isolation of infected persons is not required3. Gastrointestinal anthrax come in two forms: oropharyngeal and intestinal infections with symptoms presenting in 1-5 days1,3,4. In cases of oropharyngeal anthrax, symptoms occur around the oropharynx and may present as the development of ulcers, edema, pharyngitis, difficulty swallowing, airway compromise, and a pseudomembrane1,3,4. The pseudomembrane develops over the ulcer(s) and brings diphtheria into the differential diagnosis1. Intestinal anthrax results in development of ulcers anywhere from the jejunum to the cecum and is characterized by nausea, vomiting, fever, severe abdominal pain, and sometimes bloody
Once the bacteria are picked up by grazing herbivores, the spores begin to germinate and become virulent. As the bacteria continue to develop in the host, it will eventually die3. With human hosts, there are three main methods of transmission: cutaneous, inhalational, and gastrointestinal. A newer, but less common method of transmission is intravenously with injection drug users2,3. When germination …show more content…
Cutaneous anthrax is the most common form of the disease, and is often seen in humans and animals where vaccination and treatment are limited3,4. Typically spores will enter a skin abrasion causing the formation of a painless or itchy papule. There will be a disproportionately large amount of edema, eventually forming a large vesicle that ruptures. From there, an ulcer is formed along with a black eschar, typical in cutaneous anthrax3,4. Patients also tend to experience fever with the infection, but the germination typically remains localized at the lesion site. In some cases where the infection is not treated, Wenner notes that “the spores are carried to regional lymph nodes by the macrophages.” This allows them to replicate quickly and travel through the body via blood and lymph. As a result, there can be high levels of bacteria and toxins throughout the body which result in the development of septicemia and toxemia, respectively. This can ultimately lead to death of the …show more content…
It is caused by inhalation of Bacillus anthracic spores which then deposit in the alveoli. These spores must be less than 5 mm in size3, otherwise they will be transported out of the mucociliary elevator in the upper respiratory tract1. It should be noted that there is no documentation of person-to-person transmission of anthrax, and therefore isolation of infected persons is not required3. Gastrointestinal anthrax come in two forms: oropharyngeal and intestinal infections with symptoms presenting in 1-5 days1,3,4. In cases of oropharyngeal anthrax, symptoms occur around the oropharynx and may present as the development of ulcers, edema, pharyngitis, difficulty swallowing, airway compromise, and a pseudomembrane1,3,4. The pseudomembrane develops over the ulcer(s) and brings diphtheria into the differential diagnosis1. Intestinal anthrax results in development of ulcers anywhere from the jejunum to the cecum and is characterized by nausea, vomiting, fever, severe abdominal pain, and sometimes bloody