What is the etiological agent of anthrax?

Answer 1

Anthrax refers to a pulmonary disease that is caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Humans can acquire anthrax from exposure to the natural reservoirs of the microorganism: livestock such as sheep or cattle or wild animals. Anthrax has been acquired by workers engaged in shearing sheep, for example.

Human anthrax can occur in three major forms.

• Cutaneous anthrax refers to the entry of the organism through a cut in the skin.
• Gastrointestinal anthrax occurs when the organism is ingested in food or water.
• Finally, inhalation anthrax occurs when the organism is inhaled.

All three forms of the infection are serious, even lethal, if not treated. With prompt treatment, the cutaneous form is often cured. Gastrointestinal anthrax, however, can still be lethal in 25-75% of people who contract it. Inhalation anthrax is almost always fatal.

The inhalation form of anthrax can occur because of the changing state of the organism. Bacillus anthracis can live as a large "vegetative" cell, which undergoes cycles of growth and division. Or, the bacterium can wait out it nutritional bad times by forming a spore and becoming dormant. The spore is designed to protect the genetic material of the bacterium during hibernation. When conditions are conducive for growth and reproduction the spore resuscitates and active life goes on again. The spore form can be easily inhaled. Only 8,000 spores, hardly enough to cover a snowflake, are sufficient to cause the pulmonary disease when they resuscitate in the warm and humid conditions deep within the lung.

Answer 2

Anthrax is caused by the organism Bacillus anthracis. In some parts of the world, this can be found in cattle or other hoofed mammals. It is infrequent in Western Europe and the US, and is more likely to be found in animals in south and Central America, south and east Europe, Asia and Africa. This bacteria can form spores which can either be eaten in contaminated meat, breathed in, or simply infect the skin directly through human to animal contact.

Answer 3

bacteria.Bacillus anthrax it is a gram positive baczeria.

Answer 4

Anthrax spores can be inhaled, ingested, or come into contact with a skin lesion on a host

Answer 5

bacillus anthrax. A bacteria

Answer 6

Bacillus anthracis