What Causes Anthrax?

Anthrax is caused by the Bacillus Anthracis bacteria. Bacillus Anthracis may remain viable while in dormant state (also known as anthrax spores) for many years (sometimes for decades) before becoming active again.

What are the most common types of Anthrax infections?

• Cutaneous (Skin) Anthrax results from haldling of contaminated materials (including animal hair, animal hide, and sick animals, etc.) containing anthrax spores or active Bacillus Anthracis bacteria. When Anthrax spores enter the body through a break in the skin, they multiply and cause Cutaneous anthrax within 2 to 5 days. Cutaneous anthrax is usually not life-threatening if the patient receives a timely antibiotics therapy.
• Inhalational Anthrax (also known as Woolsorter's disease) results from inhalation of anthrax spores. The Anthrax spores so inhaled and deposited into the lungs may multiple and cause respiratory compromize.
• Septicemic Anthrax (Anthrax of the bloodstream) When the inhaled anthrax spores multiple within the lungs and produce large quantities of Bacillus Anthracis bacteria, the gems may enter the bloodstream, resulting in Septicemic Anthrax or the Anthrax of the bloodstream. Anthrax bacteria (B. Anthracis) may then travel to other organs, thereby spreading to and infecting other parts of the body. Anthrax infection to other parts of the body in this manner is known as Septicemic anthrax.
• Anthrax Meningitis: When anthrax bacteria invade the centeral nervous system it causes the Anthrax of the brain or Anthrax Meningitis.
• Gastrointestinal Anthrax results from eating animal products (undercooked or raw meat) contaminated with anthrax spores. Considering that it is very difficult to diagnose Gastrointestinal Anthrax in a timely manner, it has a relatively high rate of mortality. Symptoms of Gastrointestinal Anthrax include: Mouth sores, Sores in the throat, Diffculty in swallowing, and Pain in the throat -especially while swallowing.
• Oropharyngeal Anthrax (Anthrax of the mouth and the throat) occurs when the anthrax spores/bacteria infect the mouth and the throat.

Anthrax Pathogenesis:

After the Anthrax spores are ingested, or inhaled, the spores infect macrophages, germinate, and then continue to multiply. In case of cutaneous anthrax and gastrointestinal anthrax infection, Bacillus anthracis bacteria proliferation can occur at the site of infection as well as at the lymph nodes that drain the infected site. Lethal toxins and edema toxins are also produced causing local necrosis and extensive edema, respectively. As the B. anthracis bacteria proliferate in the lymph nodes, the resultant toxemia usually leads to bacteremia. As the disease progresses and the toxin production increases, the widespread destruction of tissues and organs occurs.

Signs and Symptoms of Anthrax:

The symptoms (as well as the incubation period) of human anthrax vary depending on the route of transmission of the anthrax disease. In most cases, symptoms appear within 5 to 7 days of exposure to anthrax spores/bacteria.

• Cutaneous (Skin) Anthrax Symptoms include: Small acne like skin sores (lesions) that grow into malignant pustule approximately an inch in diameter, Lack of pain in and around the skin sore, Presense of blisters (filled with clear liquid containing anthrax bacteria) at the center of malignant pustule, and Breathing difficulties.
• Inhalational Anthrax Symptoms: Depending upon the size of anthrax spores inhaled and the quantity thereof, symptoms of Inhalational Anthrax vary. Initial symptoms may include chest pain, low fever and a dry cough. As the disease progresses, the patient may suffer from symptoms such as: Breathing difficulties, High fever, and Low blood-oxygen levels (as evident by bluish skin color). In case of severe Inhalational Anthrax infection, patient may vomit blood, and experience severe respiratory distress. Person-to-person transmission of inhalation anthrax has not been documented.
• Gastrointestinal Anthrax or Intestinal Anthrax: Often there are no symptoms for up to five days after a person consumes animal products (meats, etc) infected with Anthrax spores. Symptoms of Gastrointestinal Anthrax may include Abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, Fatigue, Fever, Nausea, and Loss of appetite.
• Oropharyngeal Anthrax (Anthrax of the mouth and the throat) symptoms may include: Difficulty in swallowing, Difficulty in breathing, and Sore throat.
• Septicemic Anthrax (Anthrax of the bloodstream) symptoms may include: Darkening of lesions, Diffused and excessive internal bleeding, and shock resulting from toxins released into the bloodstream by the anthrax bacteria.

Anthrax Treatment:

Anthrax infection (caused by Bacillus anthracis bacteria) can be treated with a whole range of antibiotic medicines including: Amoxicillin, Ampicillin, Chloramphenicol, Ciprofloxacin (Cipro), Doxycycline, Levofloxacin and Penicillin. It is important to follow the entire course of antibiotic therapy.

Can Anthrax be Prevented?

Yes, people exposed to anthrax spores or Bacillus anthracis bacteria are usually prescribed antibiotics as a preventive measure. Preventive antibiotic therapy is usually continued for eight weeks or more.

Recommendation, Use, Safety and Efficacy of Anthrax Vaccine:

United states government has authorized BioPort Corporation, Lansing, MI to produce Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed (AVA) -aluminum hydroxide adsorbed cell-free anthrax vaccine. Primary vaccination consists of three subcutaneous injections at 0, 2, and 4 weeks, and administration of three booster vaccinations thereafter at at 6, 12, and 18 months. To maintain immunity, BioPort Corporation (the vaccine manufacturer) recommends an annual booster injection. The duration of efficacy of AVA is currently unknown in humans.

In an assessment of the safety of anthrax vaccine, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) has noted (based on reports involving a few short-term studies) no significant adverse effects of the vaccine. IOM has further concluded that the evidence is either inadequate or insufficient to determine whether an association exists between anthrax vaccination and long-term health risks.

Anthrax Survivale Rate / Anthrax Prognosis:

Considering that Gastrointestinal Anthrax (Intestinal Anthrax) is difficult to diagnose, it has a high mortality rate, with many parients experiencing severe shock (and possibly loss of life) within a week of its diagnosis. Cutaneous anthrax is usually not life-threatening if the patient seeks treatment in a timely manner. Anthrax Meningitis as well as Septicemic Anthrax (Anthrax of the bloodstream) are serious infections, often with poor prognosis.

Anthrax and Bioterrorism:

Aerosolization of B. anthracis spores are important considerations in bioterrorist acts involving use of B. anthracis. Aerosolized particles larger than 5 microns quickly fall from the atmosphere and bond to the surface they settle on. Particles having a diameter of 1 to 5 microns, on the other hand, behave as a gas and move through the environment without settling. (reference: www.cdc.gov)

Don't forget to check out Lung Disease News section of this website for the latest Anthrax News and our Lung Disease Articles Library for the latest Anthrax related Articles.

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