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Anthrax |
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Definition
Anthrax is an infection caused by the bacterium
Bacillus anthracis that primarily affects
livestock but that can occasionally spread to
humans, affecting either the skin, intestines, or
lungs. In humans, the infection can often be
treated, but it is almost always fatal in animals.
Causes
Exposure to the bacterium Bacillus anthracis.
Symptoms
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Cutaneous anthrax: Blister or ulcer that later
forms a black scab; usually has extensive
surrounding swelling
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Inhalation anthrax: Initial stage presents with
fever, malaise, headache, cough, shortness of
breath, and chest pain; Shock may occur in the
second stage
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Gastrointestinal anthrax: Nausea and vomiting (may
include blood), anorexia, and bloody diarrhea
Screening and Diagnostics
Skin biopsy.
A sample of a
suspicious lesion on your skin can be sent to a
lab to check for microscopic evidence of cutaneous
anthrax.
Sputum testing.
To diagnose
inhalation anthrax, respiratory secretions can be
cultured to check for the presence of anthrax
bacteria.
Blood tests.
If you have signs
and symptoms of any form of anthrax, your doctor
can take a blood sample and send it to a lab,
where it can be cultured to check for the presence
of anthrax bacteria. The bacteria should grow in
cultures within six to 24 hours, but a laboratory
in the Laboratory Response Network must confirm
any diagnosis. A blood serology test also is
available. This test detects antibodies produced
by the body in response to anthrax infection in
less than one hour and may be used at hospitals
and laboratories outside the LRN. But this test
won't be helpful until at least one or two weeks
after infection, because it can take that long for
antibodies to develop.
Chest X- ray or computerized tomography
(CT) scan.
Your doctor may request a
chest X-ray or CT scan to help diagnose inhalation
anthrax. Since this form of anthrax infects both
the lungs and lymph nodes in your chest, there's
often a very characteristic appearance on the
chest X-ray.
Endoscopy and stool samples.
To
diagnose intestinal anthrax, your doctor may
examine your throat or intestines with the aid of
an endoscope — a thin, flexible tube with a video
camera at its tip that can be inserted into your
throat or intestines to check for anthrax lesions.
Stool samples can be tested for the presence of
anthrax bacteria.
Spinal tap.
Sometimes your doctor
may need a sample of spinal fluid to confirm a
diagnosis of anthrax meningitis. This involves
inserting a needle into your spinal canal and
drawing out fluid for testing
Treatment
Treatment for all three forms of anthrax depends on
oral or intravenous (IV) antibiotics. Treatment is
most effective when started as early as possible.
Complications
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Cutaneous anthrax: Spread of infection into the
bloodstream
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Inhalational anthrax: Hemorrhagic meningitis,
mediastinitis, shock, and death
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Gastrointestinal anthrax: Hemorrhage, shock, and
death
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