• Insight to anthrax disease and treatment
  • fateme razizade,1,* saman hakimian ,2
    1. Graduated student of Microbiology Islamic azad karaj university, Tehran ,Iran
    2. M.sc student of Microbiology Islamic Azad University Central Tehran Branch,Iran,Tehran


  • Introduction: Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by the Bacillus anthracis bacteria, which is one of the top five important livestock diseases and the second top priority zoonotic disease, next to rabies, in Ethiopia, which remains a major problem for animals and public health in Ethiopia. •Anthrax is a bacterial toxin-mediated zoonotic illness. •It can be contracted by handling, consuming, inhaling, or injecting Bacillus anthracis-contaminated animal by products, such as skins, wool, or meat, or by-product-contaminated objects and fomites. •B. anthracis can be used as a bioweapon. Anthrax is an acute infectious disease of humans and animals, characterized by the appearance of serous and hemorrhagic swellings in the skin and subcutaneous tissues. Anthrax has been a common disease for many centuries and once caused many casualties. Anthrax affects millions of people every year. Abu Ali Ibn Sina, Hippocrates, Homer, Ovid described it as "a disease transmitted from animals to humans." In ancient times, anthrax was called "sacred fire", "Persian fire", "Iranian flame". Three classical clinical forms of the disease, cutaneous, gastrointestinal and inhalation, are seen, all of which can potentially lead to sepsis or meningitis. A new clinical form in drug users has been described recently and named “injectional anthrax” with high mortality (>33%). Inhalation anthrax: This form of disease develops when bacillus spores are directly inhaled during bioterrorism incidents or when contaminated hides are processed in the leather industry. Clinical symptoms include a fever, chills, cough, chest pain, nausea or vomiting, headache, and weariness. Later, the person may also experience shortness of breath and confusion.
  • Methods: Based on the medical history and physical examination, physicians can choose whether oral or intravenous antibiotics are necessary. Another option for treatment is anthrax antitoxin, which targets anthrax toxins in the body but must be administered in conjunction with antibiotics. Serious instances of anthrax necessitate hospitalization and may call for extensive therapies such as mechanical breathing support, blood pressure support, and excess fluid drainage. The life cycle of Bacillus anthracis in nature. Soil is the main reservoir of the pathogen and is contaminated by spores released from the carcasses of infected animals. Animals grazing on spore-contaminated land become infected resulting in a new cycle of infection, death and release of spores which can potentially contaminate a new location. Wild carnivores and scavenger birds and flies may also contribute to the spread of spores. Humans can be infected by contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products. The figure was created by Fatma Beyzanur Koyuncu, Medical student in Lokman Hekim University, Ankara).
  • Results: The majority of clinical forms is cutaneous anthrax. Penicillin G, amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin and doxycycline are widely using in the clinical practice of naturally occurring anthrax. The prevention of human anthrax is based on the control of animal infection, education of animal owners and occupational risk groups. We suggested vaccination of all animals in the afected subcounty and the surrounding areas as well as safe disposal of dead animals. In addition, we suggested that the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries investigate potential anthrax hotspots throughout Uganda, vaccinate animals in areas, where the disease is endemic, and educate the public on the risks of eating meat from animals that died of an unknown cause.
  • Conclusion: The major cause of anthrax in humans is direct or indirect exposure to infected animal products, whereas the risk factors of anthrax among the animal population are host susceptibility, droughts followed by heavy rains and low levels of pastures hence animals graze close to the ground During this outbreak, case-patients included farmers, butchers, and herdsmen. All were known to have had contact with livestock four days before symptom onset. Contact with livestock included skinning, slaughtering, carrying meat and cleaning the carcasses of the animals. These are mainly male-dominated roles which explains why males are usually the most affected subpopulation during anthrax outbreaks. Tere were no fatalities during this anthrax outbreak. Most case-patients were receiving treatment at the time of the investigation and other exposed persons were given post-exposure prophylaxis
  • Keywords: anthrax , clinical form , treatment , zoonotic disease , cutaneous anthrax