Bacillus anthracis is the causative organism of the serious infectious disease, called anthrax. There are three manifestations of this disease. The manifestations include gastrointestinal anthrax, inhalation anthrax, and cutaneous anthrax. This research will explore the morphology, virulence factors, reservoir, transmission, and portal of entry of B. anthracis. The pathogenesis will also be reviewed, including symptoms, how B. anthracis causes these symptoms, the possible complications of the symptoms, role of virulence factors, and the evasion of the hosts’ defense mechanisms. Morbidity and mortality rates, diagnosis, treatment, prevention including the use of vaccines, and why it is socially relevant to continue research on B. anthracis is
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anthracis is an endospore-forming, facultatively anaerobic, bacterium that normally dwells in soil, vegetation and mainly livestock that are herbivores (Micro book). Although B. anthracis causes one disease, there is three manifestations or transmission of this bacterium. The three manifestations include gastrointestinal anthrax, inhalation anthrax, and cutaneous anthrax. B. anthracis is a zoonotic bacterium, meaning it is spread between animals and the environment to humans. (cite).
For each manifestation, there is a different mode of transmission. Gastrointestinal anthrax is contracted when eating undercooked or raw meat of an infected animal, such as eating meat from an infected cow. Infection occurs when spores attach to the mucosal surfaces of the gastrointestinal tract. However, gastrointestinal anthrax is rare in the United States due to livestock being routinely vaccinated for anthrax [4].
Inhalation anthrax is often used as a bioterrorism attack mechanism. Its portal of entry occurs when the spores of B. anthracis are inhaled from the dust particles in the air [5]. The bacterial particles inhaled are usually from the exposure to the air around infected animals or contaminated products. The contaminated products that can become aerosolized are meat, hides, or hair. Once the spores are inhaled germination occurs. After germination in the macrophages, the macrophages will transport the spores to the mediastinal and tracheobronchial lymph nodes
anthracis is an endospore-forming, facultatively anaerobic, bacterium that normally dwells in soil, vegetation and mainly livestock that are herbivores (Micro book). Although B. anthracis causes one disease, there is three manifestations or transmission of this bacterium. The three manifestations include gastrointestinal anthrax, inhalation anthrax, and cutaneous anthrax. B. anthracis is a zoonotic bacterium, meaning it is spread between animals and the environment to humans. (cite).
For each manifestation, there is a different mode of transmission. Gastrointestinal anthrax is contracted when eating undercooked or raw meat of an infected animal, such as eating meat from an infected cow. Infection occurs when spores attach to the mucosal surfaces of the gastrointestinal tract. However, gastrointestinal anthrax is rare in the United States due to livestock being routinely vaccinated for anthrax [4].
Inhalation anthrax is often used as a bioterrorism attack mechanism. Its portal of entry occurs when the spores of B. anthracis are inhaled from the dust particles in the air [5]. The bacterial particles inhaled are usually from the exposure to the air around infected animals or contaminated products. The contaminated products that can become aerosolized are meat, hides, or hair. Once the spores are inhaled germination occurs. After germination in the macrophages, the macrophages will transport the spores to the mediastinal and tracheobronchial lymph nodes