Anthrax: Difference between revisions
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{{SI}}<br> | |||
{{Infobox medical condition | |||
| name = Anthrax | |||
| image = [[File:Anthrax_PHIL_2033.png|250px]] | |||
| caption = Skin lesion of anthrax on the arm | |||
| field = [[Infectious disease]] | |||
| symptoms = [[Fever]], [[chills]], [[fatigue]], [[cough]], [[headache]], [[nausea]], [[vomiting]], [[abdominal pain]], [[diarrhea]], [[sore throat]], [[skin ulcer]] | |||
| complications = [[Sepsis]], [[meningitis]], [[respiratory failure]] | |||
| onset = 1 to 7 days after exposure | |||
| duration = Varies | |||
| causes = ''[[Bacillus anthracis]]'' | |||
| risks = Contact with infected animals or animal products, [[bioterrorism]] | |||
| diagnosis = [[Culture (microbiology)|Culture]], [[PCR]], [[serology]] | |||
| differential = [[Cellulitis]], [[plague (disease)|plague]], [[tularemia]], [[Q fever]] | |||
| prevention = [[Anthrax vaccine]], avoiding contact with infected animals | |||
| treatment = [[Antibiotics]] such as [[ciprofloxacin]], [[doxycycline]], [[penicillin]] | |||
| prognosis = Varies by form; cutaneous has a good prognosis with treatment, inhalational is often fatal without treatment | |||
| frequency = Rare in developed countries, more common in developing regions | |||
| deaths = High mortality rate if untreated, especially in inhalational form | |||
}} | |||
{{tpr}} | {{tpr}} | ||
[[File:Anthrax culture.jpg|alt=Anthrax culture|thumb|Anthrax culture]] | [[File:Anthrax culture.jpg|alt=Anthrax culture|thumb|Anthrax culture]] | ||
== Anthrax: An Overview == | == Anthrax: An Overview == | ||
Anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by the bacterium ''Bacillus anthracis''. It primarily affects livestock and wild animals, but humans can become infected through direct or indirect contact with infected animals or their products. Anthrax is classified as a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans. There are three primary forms of anthrax infection in humans: cutaneous, gastrointestinal, and inhalation. | Anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by the bacterium ''Bacillus anthracis''. It primarily affects livestock and wild animals, but humans can become infected through direct or indirect contact with infected animals or their products. Anthrax is classified as a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans. There are three primary forms of anthrax infection in humans: cutaneous, gastrointestinal, and inhalation. | ||
=== Etiology === | === Etiology === | ||
Anthrax is caused by the spore-forming bacterium ''Bacillus anthracis''. The bacterium produces spores that can survive in the environment for extended periods, even decades. These spores can infect animals or humans when they enter the body through a break in the skin, ingestion, or inhalation. Once inside the host, the spores germinate and release toxins, leading to the symptoms of anthrax infection. | Anthrax is caused by the spore-forming bacterium ''Bacillus anthracis''. The bacterium produces spores that can survive in the environment for extended periods, even decades. These spores can infect animals or humans when they enter the body through a break in the skin, ingestion, or inhalation. Once inside the host, the spores germinate and release toxins, leading to the symptoms of anthrax infection. | ||
==== Transmission ==== | ==== Transmission ==== | ||
Anthrax is primarily transmitted through contact with infected animals or their products, such as hides, wool, or meat. The disease can also be transmitted through inhalation of spores from contaminated soil or animal products. Person-to-person transmission is extremely rare. | Anthrax is primarily transmitted through contact with infected animals or their products, such as hides, wool, or meat. The disease can also be transmitted through inhalation of spores from contaminated soil or animal products. Person-to-person transmission is extremely rare. | ||
=== Symptoms and Types of Anthrax === | === Symptoms and Types of Anthrax === | ||
There are three main forms of anthrax infection in humans, each with its own set of symptoms: | There are three main forms of anthrax infection in humans, each with its own set of symptoms: | ||
==== Cutaneous Anthrax ==== | ==== Cutaneous Anthrax ==== | ||
* Most common form (about 95% of cases) | * Most common form (about 95% of cases) | ||
* Infection through a break in the skin | * Infection through a break in the skin | ||
* Symptoms include a raised, itchy bump that later turns into a painless ulcer with a black center (eschar) | * Symptoms include a raised, itchy bump that later turns into a painless ulcer with a black center (eschar) | ||
==== Gastrointestinal Anthrax ==== | ==== Gastrointestinal Anthrax ==== | ||
Infection through ingestion of contaminated meat | Infection through ingestion of contaminated meat | ||
Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever | Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever | ||
==== Inhalation Anthrax ==== | ==== Inhalation Anthrax ==== | ||
Infection through inhalation of spores | Infection through inhalation of spores | ||
Initial symptoms resemble a common cold or flu, later progressing to severe respiratory distress, shock, and often death | Initial symptoms resemble a common cold or flu, later progressing to severe respiratory distress, shock, and often death | ||
=== Diagnosis === | === Diagnosis === | ||
Diagnosing anthrax requires laboratory testing, as the symptoms of anthrax can be similar to other, less severe illnesses. Tests for anthrax include: | Diagnosing anthrax requires laboratory testing, as the symptoms of anthrax can be similar to other, less severe illnesses. Tests for anthrax include: | ||
* Culture: Isolating ''Bacillus anthracis'' from a sample of blood, skin lesion, or respiratory secretions | * Culture: Isolating ''Bacillus anthracis'' from a sample of blood, skin lesion, or respiratory secretions | ||
* Polymerase chain reaction (PCR): Detecting anthrax DNA in a sample | * Polymerase chain reaction (PCR): Detecting anthrax DNA in a sample | ||
* Immunological tests: Identifying antibodies or antigens in a sample | * Immunological tests: Identifying antibodies or antigens in a sample | ||
=== Treatment === | === Treatment === | ||
Anthrax is treatable with antibiotics, particularly if caught early. Commonly prescribed antibiotics for anthrax include: | Anthrax is treatable with antibiotics, particularly if caught early. Commonly prescribed antibiotics for anthrax include: | ||
* [[Ciprofloxacin]] | * [[Ciprofloxacin]] | ||
* [[Doxycycline]] | * [[Doxycycline]] | ||
* [[Penicillin]] | * [[Penicillin]] | ||
In more severe cases, particularly in inhalation anthrax, additional supportive care, such as intravenous fluids and respiratory support, may be necessary. | In more severe cases, particularly in inhalation anthrax, additional supportive care, such as intravenous fluids and respiratory support, may be necessary. | ||
=== Prevention === | === Prevention === | ||
Preventing anthrax primarily involves controlling the infection in animals and reducing the risk of exposure for humans. Measures to prevent anthrax include: | Preventing anthrax primarily involves controlling the infection in animals and reducing the risk of exposure for humans. Measures to prevent anthrax include: | ||
* [[Vaccination]] of [[livestock]] | * [[Vaccination]] of [[livestock]] | ||
| Line 56: | Line 59: | ||
{{Bioterrorism}} | {{Bioterrorism}} | ||
{{Gram-positive bacterial diseases}} | {{Gram-positive bacterial diseases}} | ||
{{ | {{nt}} | ||
{{stub}} | {{stub}} | ||
[[Category:Anthrax| ]] | [[Category:Anthrax| ]] | ||
| Line 69: | Line 72: | ||
[[Category:Zoonoses]] | [[Category:Zoonoses]] | ||
[[Category:Zoonotic bacterial diseases]] | [[Category:Zoonotic bacterial diseases]] | ||
Latest revision as of 13:42, 4 April 2025
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD's medical weight loss NYC, sleep center NYC
Philadelphia medical weight loss and Philadelphia sleep clinics
| Anthrax | |
|---|---|
| |
| Synonyms | N/A |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Fever, chills, fatigue, cough, headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, sore throat, skin ulcer |
| Complications | Sepsis, meningitis, respiratory failure |
| Onset | 1 to 7 days after exposure |
| Duration | Varies |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Bacillus anthracis |
| Risks | Contact with infected animals or animal products, bioterrorism |
| Diagnosis | Culture, PCR, serology |
| Differential diagnosis | Cellulitis, plague, tularemia, Q fever |
| Prevention | Anthrax vaccine, avoiding contact with infected animals |
| Treatment | Antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, penicillin |
| Medication | N/A |
| Prognosis | Varies by form; cutaneous has a good prognosis with treatment, inhalational is often fatal without treatment |
| Frequency | Rare in developed countries, more common in developing regions |
| Deaths | High mortality rate if untreated, especially in inhalational form |
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD's medical weight loss NYC, sleep center NYC
Philadelphia medical weight loss and Philadelphia sleep clinics
Anthrax: An Overview[edit]
Anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. It primarily affects livestock and wild animals, but humans can become infected through direct or indirect contact with infected animals or their products. Anthrax is classified as a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans. There are three primary forms of anthrax infection in humans: cutaneous, gastrointestinal, and inhalation.
Etiology[edit]
Anthrax is caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. The bacterium produces spores that can survive in the environment for extended periods, even decades. These spores can infect animals or humans when they enter the body through a break in the skin, ingestion, or inhalation. Once inside the host, the spores germinate and release toxins, leading to the symptoms of anthrax infection.
Transmission[edit]
Anthrax is primarily transmitted through contact with infected animals or their products, such as hides, wool, or meat. The disease can also be transmitted through inhalation of spores from contaminated soil or animal products. Person-to-person transmission is extremely rare.
Symptoms and Types of Anthrax[edit]
There are three main forms of anthrax infection in humans, each with its own set of symptoms:
Cutaneous Anthrax[edit]
- Most common form (about 95% of cases)
- Infection through a break in the skin
- Symptoms include a raised, itchy bump that later turns into a painless ulcer with a black center (eschar)
Gastrointestinal Anthrax[edit]
Infection through ingestion of contaminated meat Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever
Inhalation Anthrax[edit]
Infection through inhalation of spores Initial symptoms resemble a common cold or flu, later progressing to severe respiratory distress, shock, and often death
Diagnosis[edit]
Diagnosing anthrax requires laboratory testing, as the symptoms of anthrax can be similar to other, less severe illnesses. Tests for anthrax include:
- Culture: Isolating Bacillus anthracis from a sample of blood, skin lesion, or respiratory secretions
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR): Detecting anthrax DNA in a sample
- Immunological tests: Identifying antibodies or antigens in a sample
Treatment[edit]
Anthrax is treatable with antibiotics, particularly if caught early. Commonly prescribed antibiotics for anthrax include:
In more severe cases, particularly in inhalation anthrax, additional supportive care, such as intravenous fluids and respiratory support, may be necessary.
Prevention[edit]
Preventing anthrax primarily involves controlling the infection in animals and reducing the risk of exposure for humans. Measures to prevent anthrax include:
- Vaccination of livestock
- Proper disposal of infected carcasses
- Use of personal protective equipment when handling potentially contaminated animal products
- Education about safe handling and consumption of animal products
In some cases, individuals at high risk of exposure, such as laboratory workers or military personnel, may receive a human anthrax vaccine as a preventative measure.
* Firmicutes (low-G+C) Infectious diseases
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