Anthrax

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Antibodies

Cutaneous anthrax

Cutaneous Anthrax

Inhalation anthrax

Anthrax is an infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacteria called Bacillus anthracis. Infection in humans most often involves the skin, the gastrointestinal tract, or the lungs.

See also: Cutaneous anthrax; Inhalation anthrax

Wool sorter's disease; Ragpicker's disease

Anthrax commonly affects hoofed animals such as sheep and goats, but humans who come in contact with the infected animals can get sick from anthrax, too. Historically, the populations most at risk for anthrax included farm workers, veterinarians, and tannery and wool workers.

There are three primary routes of anthrax infection:

• Cutaneous anthrax  occurs when anthrax touches a cut or scrape on the skin.
• Inhalation anthrax develops when anthrax spores enter the lungs.
• Gastrointestinal anthrax occurs when someone eats anthrax-contaminated meat. The disease usually develops within one week, and can affect the mouth, esophagus, intestines, and colon. The infection can spread to the bloodstream, and may result in death.

Anthrax is a potential agent for use as a biological weapon or for bio-terrorism. In 2001, bioterrorist activities involving the U.S. Postal Service infected 22 people with anthrax; 7 survivors had confirmed cutaneous anthrax disease.

While at least 17 nations are believed to have a biological weapons program, it is unknown how many nations or groups are working with anthrax. Most bio-terrorism experts have concluded that it is technologically difficult to use anthrax effectively as a weapon on a large scale.

Review Date: 06/17/2005
Reviewed By: Rocio Hurtado, MD, Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.