Anthrax vaccines

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Anthrax Vaccines

Anthrax vaccines (/ænˈθræks vækˈsiːnz/) are vaccines developed to prevent Anthrax, a highly infectious and deadly disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis.

Etymology

The term "Anthrax" is derived from the Greek word "ἄνθραξ" meaning "coal", referring to the black skin lesions seen in cutaneous anthrax. The term "vaccine" comes from the Latin vaccinus, meaning "from cows", due to the early method of vaccination which involved cowpox.

Types of Anthrax Vaccines

There are two types of anthrax vaccines:

  • Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed (AVA), sold under the trade name BioThrax in the United States. It is prepared from filtrates of microaerophilic cultures of an avirulent, nonencapsulated strain of Bacillus anthracis.
  • Anthrax Vaccine Precipitated (AVP), used in the United Kingdom. It is prepared from sterile filtrates of cultures of Bacillus anthracis strains that have been inactivated.

Usage

Anthrax vaccines are used primarily for people who are at high risk of exposure to anthrax, such as certain military personnel, laboratory workers, and people who handle potentially infected animals or animal products.

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