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Inhalation (or respiratory) anthrax is an infectious disease brought on by breathing in the spores of the bacteria Bacillus anthracis.
Alternative NamesAnthrax - inhalation
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsAnthrax commonly affects hoofed animals such as sheep and goats, but humans can get sick from anthrax, too. The main risk factor for getting anthrax is some type of contact with contaminated animal hides, hair, bone products, and wool. Inhalation anthrax was most commonly contracted when workers breathed in airborne anthrax spores, which were released during industrial processes such as tanning hides and processing wool.
Breathing in spores means a person has been exposed to the disease, but it doesn't mean they'll get symptoms. The bacteria spores must "germinate," or sprout ( the same way a seed might before a plant grows) before the actual disease occurs. The process usually takes 3 to 14 days, with 43 days being the longest known incubation period.
Once the spores germinate, they release several toxic substances, which cause internal bleeding, swelling, and tissue death.
The main form of inhalation anthrax is a bloody infection of the lymph nodes in the chest, a condition called hemorrhagic mediastinitis. Affected people often also have bloody fuid in their chest cavity called pleural effusions. Up to half of affected individuals may also have hemorrhagic meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord).
SymptomsThere are usually two stages of inhalation anthrax:
- Stage one can last from hours to a few days. Symptoms may resemble a cold or the flu, and can include fever, chills, sweating, fatigue, malaise, headache, cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain.
- Stage two often develops suddenly. Symptoms include fever, severe shortness of breath, and shock.
This list of symptoms is based on a relatively small number of people who have had inhalation anthrax. Additional symptoms may occur.
Signs and testsTests may include:
- Blood cultures
- Chest x-ray or CT scan of the chest
- Sputum cultures
Initial chest x-rays are likely to show abnormalities such as fluid surrounding the lungs or an abnormally wide space between the lungs.
Fluid or blood samples may be sent to a special laboratory for more testing, including PCR, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry.
A spinal tap to analyze the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for infection also may be performed.
TreatmentSeveral antibiotics are effective against anthrax, including penicillin, doxycycline, and ciprofloxacin. Inhalation anthrax is usually treated with intravenous (IV) ciprofloxacin plus another antibiotic.
The length of treatment is currently about 60 days for individuals exposed to anthrax, since it may take spores that long to germinate.
Expectations (prognosis)The prognosis of inhalation anthrax once it reaches the second stage is poor, even with antibiotic therapy. Up to 90% of cases in the second stage are fatal.
Complications- ARDS (adult respiratory distress syndrome)
- Death
- Hemorrhagic meningitis
- Shock
Notify your health care provider if you have been exposed to anthrax, whether or not you develop symptoms.
PreventionAn anthrax vaccine is available to select U.S. military personnel, but not the general public.
For individuals who have been truly exposed to anthrax (but have no signs and symptoms of the disease), preventive antibiotics may be offered.
Anthrax is not known to spread from person to person. People living with individuals with anthrax do not need antibiotics unless they have also been exposed to the same source of anthrax.
ReferencesInglesby TV, O'Toole T, Henderson DA, et al. Anthrax as a Biological Weapon, 2002. JAMA.160;2002;287:2236-2252.
Lucey DR. Anthrax. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier. 2007: chap 317.
Reissman DB, Whitney EA, Taylor TH Jr, et al. One-Year Health Assessment of Adult Survivors of Bacillus anthracis Infection.JAMA. 2004;291:1994-1998.
What else can I help you with?
What is inhalation anthrax?
Inhaling the bacterial spores can lead to a rare, often-fatal form of anthrax known as pulmonary or inhalation anthrax that attacks the lungs and sometimes spreads to the brain.
What type of anthrax raises cell count?
Inhalation anthrax, also known as pulmonary anthrax, is the type of anthrax that can cause a significant increase in the white blood cell count, specifically affecting the number of neutrophils. This increase in cell count is part of the body's immune response to the anthrax infection.
What term might be used to refer to anthrax?
Anthrax is an infection caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. It can occur in four forms: skin, inhalation, intestinal, and injection.
What type of anthrax has symptoms of fever malaise fatigue and nonproductive cough the chest x rays reveal a widened mediastinum and elevated white blood count?
cutaneous...wrong, the answer is inhalation
What is Sorters disease?
A pulmonary form of anthrax that results from the inhalation of spores of the bacterium Bacillus Anthracis in the wool of contaminated sheep. The bacterium that causes this is Bacillus Anthracis
Is a vector required for transmission anthrax?
No, a vector is not required for the transmission of anthrax. Anthrax is primarily caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, which can be transmitted through direct contact with infected animals, their products, or contaminated environments. It can also be contracted through inhalation of spores or ingestion of contaminated food. While vectors like insects can facilitate transmission in some cases, they are not essential for the spread of anthrax.
How is the disease Anthrax developed?
Anthrax is caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. The spores of this bacterium can enter the body through inhalation, ingestion, or contact with broken skin. Once inside the body, the spores can germinate and release toxins that lead to the symptoms of anthrax.
What is the most common type of anthrax?
Anthrax is an acute disease caused by Bacillius anthracis. The progression of the disease depends on how the host becomes infected, if the bacteria are inhaled it is lung infection, if they are introduced to the blood it is pulmonary, and if they are eaten it is gastrointestinal.
What body systems does anthrax attack?
of course you start to shake! in the 1920's a man by the name of John Audley Glover got the shakes, and they found it was from the outbreak of anthrax through his body! The world famous scientist for the HDA (human disease association) experimented on the fact that anthrax can spread straight through you left nostril... and it is proven to this day that Anthrax is a nostril ingested virus that can give you an uncontrollable urge to move.
How does anthrax invade a host?
Anthrax bacteria (Bacillus anthracis) typically enter a host's body through ingestion, inhalation, or through breaks in the skin. Once inside the body, the bacteria produce toxins that can cause cell death and tissue damage, leading to the symptoms associated with anthrax infection.
How does anthrax move?
Anthrax is a deadly disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, a bacterium that forms spores.There are three types of anthrax: skin, lung and gastrointestinal.Anthrax from animals. You can become infected with anthrax by handling products from infected animals or by breathing in anthrax spores from infected animal products (like wool, for example). You can also become infected with gastrointestinal anthrax by eating undercooked meat from infected animals.Anthrax as a weapon. Anthrax also can be used as a weapon. This happened in the US in 2001. Anthrax was spread by sending letters with powder containing anthrax. This caused 22 cases of anthrax infection, including several deaths.
Koch's psotulstes of causality have the greatest application to what type of disease A- Infectious disease or chronic disease?
It is a pulmonary form of anthrax that results from the inhalation of spores of the bacteriumbacillus anthracis in the wool of contaminated sheep .
