Anthrax

If there is one disease that is deadly for both Animals and Humans it would be anthrax. It is an infectious disease of animals and humans. The causation of it is a bacterium called Bacillus anthracis that mostly affects cattle, hogs, sheep, horses, and goats (MedlinePlus, 2016). This disease can be fatal for these sort of animals, and it kills its host by producing a toxin that kills the cells causing fluid to build up in the body’s tissues (Mock, Michele, Fouet, & Agnes, 2001). Adding to its lethal toxin, the dormant spores are highly resistant to harsh environmental conditions like chemical agents, heat, pressure, etc. When the soil is contaminated, those spores are able to survive for long periods of time (Lindeque, & Turnbull, 1994).…

Anthrax is thought to be an ancient illness. While there is no way to be completely sure, as it was not referred to as anthrax at the time, many scholars date anthrax all the way back to 700 BC during the periods of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia (CDC, 2016). According to the CDC, “Many scholars think that in Moses’ time, during the 10 plagues of Egypt, anthrax may have caused what was known as the fifth plague, described as a sickness affecting horses, cattle, sheep, camels and oxen” (CDC,…

Anthrax is caused by spore forming bacterium. It mostly affects animals. Humans can be infected if come in contact with infected animals. It was most common with sheep and cattle. In 1881, Louis Pasteur focused his attention on anthrax. Louis Pasteur performed public experiments in which he injected one group of animals with an anthrax vaccine he developed (9). Pasteur gave 25 shots of anthrax vaccine he had created with a weakened anthrax bacteria (8). Pasteur gave both rounds of the vaccine…

1. A 39 year old US postal worker notices an area of redness and swelling on his left lateral forearm. Six days later he notices that the rash, which is painless, now appears black and swollen. He becomes concerned and goes to the emergency department, where he is subsequently diagnosed with cutaneous anthrax. Which of the following mechanisms is most likely associated with the swelling that surrounds the black rash? A. SNARE protein cleavage B. Overactivation of adenylate cyclase by disabling…

Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. This zoonotic disease occurs naturally in many areas of the world, most commonly in agricultural regions with inadequate control programs for anthrax in livestock. The anthrax spores are the major form of the bacterium in the environment and anthrax is contracted via spore uptake. Resistance to dehydration, heat, ultraviolet light, gamma radiation and many disinfectants makes anthrax spores ideal…

As mentioned, bioterrorism agents can be modified and engineered to kill people slowly and effectively. Mass producing these bio threats by foreign and local terrorist, is inexpensive and easy transport undetected across the borders into the United States, due to the fact that it would take days or months before the first person would become ill. Some agents can be spread without any contact from another human or animal. For instance through weaponing of a bio agent, which is the process of…

processes. ATP is released from the macrophages, that are impacted with the poison from the anthrax toxins, through a special channel in the cell membrane. Then this ATP is sensed by a receptor that is located on a second macrophage, which will assemble and activate…

Anthrax Outbreak Out of all of the diseases, anthrax seems to have the most potential for a massive outbreak. In its respiratory form, anthrax could easily be spread globally. It’s high mortality rate and typically short incubation period would allow casualties to increase quickly. The most effective way to create an outbreak of anthrax would be through direct acts of bioterrorism. As anthrax is not communicated person-to-person the spores would have to be continually introduced into the…

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…

Anthrax, smallpox and plague potential bioterrorism agents and are caused by microbial pathogens. Bioterrorism is the deliberate release of viruses, bacteria, or other germs (agents) used to cause illness or death in people, animals, or plants. These agents are typically found in nature, but it is possible that they could be changed to increase their ability to cause disease, make them resistant to current medicines, or to increase their ability to be spread into the environment. These…