Anthrax
Cause
Anthrax is caused by the bacterium known as Bacillus Anthracis. The type of anthrax a person
develops depends on how the bacteria enter the body. For example, gastrointestinal anthrax is
caused by eating meat contaminated with anthrax bacteria or their spores. Cutaneous anthrax
infections occur when the anthrax bacteria enter a cut or abrasion on the skin. Inhalation
anthrax occurs by breathing in the anthrax bacteria or spores.
Bacillus Anthracis
Bacillus anthracis is a bacterium that lives in soil. The anthrax bacterium is different from many
other bacteria because it can form spores, a survival tactic that has allowed it to survive for
extended periods under the harshest of conditions. A Bacillus anthracis spore is very hardy; it is
able to withstand extreme heat, cold, and drought without nutrients or air.
Transmission
Anthrax transmission occurs in one of two ways: from animals, or as a result of bioterrorism.
Anthrax transmission from animals may occur when a person handles products from an
infected animal. In the case of bioterrorism, anthrax transmission can occur when someone
puts a powder containing anthrax into letters, or into the air via heating or air conditioning
systems.
From animal:
Anthrax spores can live in the soil for many years. Wild or domestic animals (such as cattle,
sheep, or antelopes) can contract anthrax through this soil and become infected. Humans can
become infected with anthrax by handling products from an infected animal, or by breathing in
anthrax spores from infected animal products
Host Response
Little work has been undertaken to characterize the basis of the human immune response to
immunization or infection with anthrax. Fully understanding this response will be key to the
validation of current vaccine targets and the identification of new ones.
Major Symptoms
The average incubation period for anthrax is up to 7 days, but it can take 60 days or longer for
symptoms to develop. Symptoms depend on how the infection was acquired.
Cutaneous anthrax
Cutaneous anthrax usually occurs when spores from the bacteria enter a cut or scrape on the
skin. Cutaneous anthrax infection has the following characteristics:
Skin infection begins as a small, raised bump that might itch-similar to an insect or
spider bite.
Within 1 to 2 days, the bump develops into a fluid-filled blister about 1cm to 3cm in
diameter. Within 7 to 10 days, the blister usually has a black center of dying tissue
(eschar) surrounded by redness and swelling. The blister is usually painless.
Additional blisters may develop.
Other symptoms may include:
Swollen lymph nodes close to the area of the blister.
Fever.
Headache.
A general feeling of discomfort
Treatment
The preferred way to treat anthrax is with antibiotics. The goal of antibiotics is to destroy the
infection and prevent complications and death.
Many antibiotics are effective against B anthracis and include the following:
o Doxycycline (Vibramycin)
o Penicillin
o Amoxicillin (Trimox, Amoxil, Biomox)
o Ampicillin
Severely ill people may be given medications through an IV. Treatment may continue for
several weeks.
People exposed to anthrax may be given preventive antibiotics usually to be taken for
60 days.
Prevention
An anthrax vaccine exists but is not readily available. It consists of a series of 6 immunizations
given over 18 months. A booster is then available to be given annually, especially to those who
have exposure to anthrax-containing animals or animal products. A skin test can determine if
the vaccine is active.
To prevent infection from spores of B anthracis released in the air after a suspected bioterrorist
attack, your doctor may prescribe ciprofloxacin or doxycycline for 60 days. Other antibiotics
may be used once lab tests return showing which ones are effective
Control
The following was taken straight out from the NSW Health Department
Response protocol for NSW public health units
Public Health Priority: Urgent
PHU response time: Respond to notification of “suggestive” laboratory evidence in order to
identify confirmed cases on the same day. Report case details to CDB on same day. Enter on
NDD within one working day
Case Management: Appropriate antibiotics under direction of treating doctor. Identify likely
source of infection.
Contact Management: Assess and control risk in others exposed to the same source of
infection.
