ANTHRAX ...... An Introduction

About Dr Sameera Bazli

Anthrax has been the cause of concern all over the world lately. Everyone is anxious to know what it is and how it leads a healthy human being to a disastrous end, where does the causative organism come from and what can be the potential measures.

What is Anthrax:

Anthrax is a disease caused by a specific bacteria known as Bacillus Anthracis. It is of the shape of a small rod weighing about 3-8 micrometer. There is a strong capsule around the bacteria which protects it and within the capsule are small spores. Each spore grows into a separate bacteria.

The spores of Anthrax can withstand extremes of temperature and humidity.

Bacillus Anthracis was first discovered by Kochs in 1877. The spores of Anthrax exist for years within animals and on human bodies as well as products made from the skin of the animals like leather goods, woollen clothes tooth brushes, cosmetics etc. These spores can preserve themselves by making a covering around them and can last for years and whenever they get a suitable environment, they enter a living body where they grow into bacteria. Then they cause the symptoms of the disease according to the site of invasion.

Anthrax is therefore initially a disease of animals like sheep, goats, pigs and like animals that is transferred to humans from sick animals when they come directly in contact with each other. Thus it is basically a disease seen in butchers and dealers in wool and animal hides.

In 1978 when there was an outbreak of this disease in Zimbabwe at least 10 thousand people died. In 1979 Anthrax became the cause of death of thousands of people in Siberia where it was named as SIBERIAN ULCER.

How is Anthrax transferred from Animals to Humans?

As stated earlier the spores of Anthrax enter the human body by either the ingestion of animals sick with anthrax or with the contact of flies that harbour the wastes of those animals.

People who work in factories that manufacture products made by animals skin also have a chance to be infected with anthrax bacteria or spores. These spores also prevail in the environment of such industrial areas.

3 Main Types of Anthrax

1- Cutaneous Type: Disease involving the skin. This is the commonest type. The disease affects skin in 95% of cases. Within seven days of entry of the anthrax bacteria into a human body, the skin develops a small rash which itches but there is no pain. After a few days the rash turns into a lesion containing pus. Usually the disease affects the exposed parts of skin e.g. face, hands, neck etc. Then the lesion undergoes ulceration with a central black area. Alongwith this there is fever, bodyaches, weakness and a fall in blood pressure. Gradually the bacteria enters the blood and travels to the brain.

2- Anthrax involving the Respiratory tract: This type usually affects those dealing in wool and animal hides due to inhalation of spores. Therefore also known as Wool Sorters disease. The spores reach the lungs through the airway that leads to difficulty in breathing, blood in sputum, chest pain all mimicking pneumonia. After a while the bacteria causes infection in blood and the victim might be cyanosed and dies within 2-3 days. Luckily this type of anthrax is very rare and if untreated 99-100% of patients ultimately die of the disease.

3- Anthrax involving the Gastrointestinal tract: This type presents with excessive vomiting and loose motions. There might be blood in both the vomitus and stools.

Diagnosis

It is established by demonstrating the organism in smears or by culture. Regarding treatment, Penicillin is the drug of choice.

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