Anthrax

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Antibodies

Cutaneous anthrax

Cutaneous Anthrax

Inhalation anthrax

Wool sorter's disease; Ragpicker's disease

The mainstay of treatment is early antibiotic therapy. Several antibiotics are effective, including penicillin, doxycycline, and ciprofloxacin (Cipro). 

When treating inhalation anthrax, a combination of antibiotics should be used, often starting with an intravenous form of Cipro plus another agent.

Cutaneous anthrax is treated with oral (pill-form) antibiotics.

The length of treatment is currently about 60 days, since it may take spores that long to germinate.

In the event of a bioterrorist attack, the National Pharmaceutical Stockpile is available to supplement and help provide antibiotics should a shortage occur.

When treated with antibiotics, the prognosis of cutaneous anthrax is excellent. Untreated, however, up to 20% of individuals may die, due to anthrax-related blood infections.

Patients with second-stage inhalation anthrax have a poor outlook, even with antibiotic therapy. Up to 90% of cases in the second stage are fatal.

The prognosis of gastrointestinal anthrax is also poor. A high number of individuals die from this form of the disease.

• Cutaneous anthrax: Spread of infection into the bloodstream
• Inhalational anthrax: Hemorrhagic meningitis, mediastinitis, shock, and death
• Gastrointestinal anthrax: Hemorrhage, shock, and death

Call your health care provider if you have had an exposure to anthrax, or if you develop signs and symptoms of cutaneous, inhalation, or gastrointestinal anthrax.

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.