Anthrax The Bacterium Bacillus Anthracis

DEFINITION
Anthrax is a disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, which can infect the skin, lungs and gastrointestinal tract.

Anthrax is highly contagious and can be fatal.
Usually spread to humans from animals, particularly cattle, goats and sheep.

CAUSE
Bacterium Bacillus anthracis.
The bacteria are dormant (sleeping) can survive in soil and animal products (e.g. wool) for decades.
The infection usually enter through the skin, but can also come from contaminated meat or inhaling spores or bacteria.

SYMPTOMS
Symptoms can appear within 12 hours - 5 days after exposure to the bacteria.
Skin infection begins as a red-brown lumps that swell with swelling around it. Bumps turn into blisters and harden, then break off and remove the center clear liquid and form a black scab.
Lymph nodes in the affected area may swell, and the patient felt unwell, sometimes muscle pain, headache, fever, nausea and vomiting.

Pulmonary anthrax (woolsorter disease) caused by inhaling spores of anthrax bacteria.
Spores divide within the lymph nodes located near the lungs. Lymph nodes and then broken and bleeding, infection spread to nearby structures in the chest. In the lungs and in the cavity between the lung and chest wall buried in the infected fluid.
At first, symptoms are vague and resemble the flu. But later, the fever gets worse and occurs within a few days severe respiratory disorders, followed by shock and coma.
Also can an infection of the brain and the membranes (meningoencephalitis).
Even if given early treatment, the type of anthrax is almost always fatal.

Gastrointestinal anthrax is rare.
Bacteria can grow into the intestinal wall and releasing toxins that cause extensive bleeding and tissue death.
If it spreads to the bloodstream, the infection can be fatal.

Diagnosis
Diagnosis based on symptoms, supported by a history of contact with animals.

To diagnose an infection of the lung, sputum samples can be taken to be cultured, but the lab is not always able to find a bacterial cause.

TREATMENT
Skin infections are treated with injections of penicillin or tetracycline or erythromycin with per-oral route.

Lung infection were treated with intravenous penicillin.
Corticosteroids are used to reduce lung inflammation.

If treatment is delayed (usually because the diagnosis is uncertain), then the likely death will occur.

PREVENTION
People who have a high risk of contact with animals (e.g. veterinarians, technicians and workers laboratory textile mills that process animal fur) can get vaccinated.