Antrax

Antrax, commonly referred to as anthrax, is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. The bacterium forms hardy spores that can persist in soil for many years and enter the human or animal body through skin, inhalation, or ingestion of contaminated material. Humans are typically exposed through contact with infected animals or animal products, while inhalational and gastrointestinal forms are more severe.

The disease presents in several forms. Cutaneous anthrax starts as a painless lesion that develops into a characteristic black necrotic eschar. Inhalational anthrax begins with flu-like symptoms and can progress to severe respiratory distress and shock if not treated promptly. Gastrointestinal anthrax causes abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and severe diarrhea. Injectional anthrax, associated with illicit drug use in some outbreaks, can cause severe soft tissue infection and sepsis.

Diagnosis relies on clinical suspicion, exposure history, and laboratory tests such as culture, PCR, and toxin detection of samples from blood, sputum, or lesions. Early recognition is crucial for effective treatment and public health response. Treatment typically involves antibiotics; regimens often include doxycycline or ciprofloxacin, with combination therapy for severe disease. In some cases, antitoxin therapies may be used as adjuncts.

Prevention focuses on vaccination and control measures. Livestock vaccination helps reduce animal-to-human transmission, while vaccination of at-risk humans (such as laboratory workers and some military personnel) is available in some programs. Public health measures emphasize rapid diagnosis, appropriate isolation or decontamination when needed, and safe handling or disposal of potentially contaminated materials.

Historically, Bacillus anthracis was demonstrated as the causative agent by Robert Koch in 1876, and vaccines pioneered in the late 19th and early 20th centuries have reduced many animal and human cases in affected regions.