ANTHRAX
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20,000-100,000 cases estimated globally/yearhttp://www.vetmed.lsu.edu/whocc/mp_world.htm
CAUSES Bacteria Bacillus anthracis
SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION
Kingdom: BacteriaPhylum: FirmicutesClass: BacilliOrder: BacillalesFamily: BacillaceaeGenus: BacillusSpecies:B. anthracis
STRAINS (TYPES)
Cutaneous (skin) Inhalation (lungs) Gastrointestinal (digestive)
Anthrax toxin is made up of three proteins: protective antigen (PA), edema factor (EF), and lethal factor (LF).
PA binds to specific cell receptors, and following proteolytic activation it forms a membrane channel that mediates entry of EF and LF into the cell.
EF is an adenylyl cyclase; with PA it forms a toxin known as edema toxin.
LF plus PA form lethal toxin, which is a major virulence factor and cause of death in infected animals.
ANTHRAX TOXIN
Center for Food Security and Public Health, Iowa State University, 2008
HUMAN TRANSMISSION
Industry Tanneries Textile mills Wool sorters Bone processors Slaughterhouses
Center for Food Security and Public Health, Iowa State University, 2008
HUMAN TRANSMISSION Cutaneous
Contact with infected tissues, wool, hide, soil
Biting flies Inhalational
Tanning hides, processing wool or bone
Gastrointestinal Undercooked meat
THROUGH ANIMALS Humans can
become infected after handling infected animals
Breathing anthrax spores from infected products (like wool)
Eating undercooked meat from infected animals
(Undercooked meat)
HOW IS IT TRANSMUTABLE? AS A BIOLOGICAL WEAPON Anthrax spores can be distributed Ex. USA 2001, anthrax spores spread through
postal system via letters containing spores
ANTHRAX SPORES
WHO GETS IT?
Animals primarily Common in… South & Central America Southern/Eastern Europe Asia Africa Middle East
INCUBATION PERIOD
symptoms appear within 7 days of initial contact
For inhalation anthrax, anywhere from a week to 60 days
STRAINS (TYPES)
Cutaneous (skin) Inhalation (lungs) Gastrointestinal (digestive)
CUTANEOUS ANTHRAX
Raised itchy bump (resembles incest bite) 1-2 days, develops into a vesicle (cyst) Develops into painless ulcer (1-3 cm
diameter) Ulcer has black center Swelling of surrounding tissues Swelling of adjacent lymph glands
GASTROINTESTINAL ANTHRAX
Initial signs: nausea Loss of appetite Vomiting blood Sever diarrhea Lesions & soreness in throat Difficulty swallowing Swelling of neck &lymph glands 50% of all patients develop meningitis
INHALATION ANTHRAX Flu/cold like symptoms Cough Chest discomfort Shortness of breath Tiredness & muscle
aches
Meditational widening with inhalation anthrax
DIAGNOSIS Bacterial cultures Measuring specific antibodies in blood Positive cultures are unlikely after antibiotic treatment
has been started
Anthrax is acute (of abrupt onset, of short duration, rapidly progressing & in need of urgent care)
People can’t become immune to anthrax Can get anthrax multiple times
WHAT PARTS OF THE BODY ARE AFFECTED?
In cutaneous anthrax: Skin, surrounding tissues & lymph glands
In gastrointestinal anthrax: Digestive system, neck & lymph glands
In inhalation anthrax: Respiratory & immune system
TREATMENST Anthrax vaccine Avoiding contact w/ animals Don’t eat improperly
slaughtered/cooked meat
FURTHER TREATMENT
Prevention after exposure: Antibiotic & vaccine combo
Treatment after infection: 60 day course of antibiotics
Success depends on type of anthrax & how soon treatment was started
Anthrax is terminal if left untreated