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ANTHRAXANTHRAX

A PRESENTATION OF A PRESENTATION OF IMAGES AND SYMPTOMSIMAGES AND SYMPTOMS

Anthrax ScareAnthrax Scare

Anthrax Growing on DishAnthrax Growing on Dish

Anthrax Shape and SizeAnthrax Shape and Size

Bacteria cells are the long, curved cells.

Human cells are the larger, rounded cells.

Anthrax SporesAnthrax Spores

False-color spores Small circles are spores

The spore stage is useful in making biological weapons. It will survive in conditions that will kill a living cell.

Scanning Electron Scanning Electron Microscope PhotographMicroscope Photograph

The typical rod shaped cell of Bacillus anthracis. Note the cells just divided in the upper right.

Anthrax in Wild AnimalsAnthrax in Wild Animals

Note the bloody discharge about the nose. Possible inhalation anthrax.

Three types described by Three types described by route of infectionroute of infection

Skin / CutaneousSkin / Cutaneous Lungs / InhalationLungs / Inhalation Food / GastrointestinalFood / Gastrointestinal

CutaneousCutaneous

Cutaneous anthraxMost anthrax infections occur through a cut on the skin. About 2,000 cases are reported annually.

SymptomsSkin infections begin as an itchy bump which over 2-6 days develops into a boil and then a depressed black skin lesion.

CutaneousCutaneous

EffectsAfter the spores germinate they release toxins which damage the skin tissues. The disease can spread throughout the body, but deaths are rare. With treatment mortality is less than 1%.

TreatmentThe antibiotic being used to treat the current cases in the US is ciprofloxacin, known in the UK as ciproxin.

Infection of ArmInfection of Arm

Notice the dark sore on the patient’s arm.

Growth of skin infectionGrowth of skin infection

Skin AnthraxSkin Anthrax

Anthrax on inner surface of the palm

Skin AnthraxSkin Anthrax

Infection of forearm.

Pulmonary AnthraxPulmonary Anthrax

Inhalation / Pulmonary anthraxThis is the rarest form of the disease. Between 1900 and 1978 only 18 cases were recorded in the US.

SymptomsInitially coughs and sneezes, much like a common cold. Within 36 hours chest pains, severe breathing problems and shock will develop. This type of anthrax usually results in death after about two days.

Pulmonary AnthraxPulmonary Anthrax

EffectsThe spores are absorbed through the alveoli into the lymph system. They may not become active for up to two months. Once they germinate they release toxins which rapidly leads to hemorrhaging. Any delay administering antibiotics will reduce the chances of survival. Mortality rate for this type of anthrax is about 89%.

TreatmentThe antibiotic being used to treat the current cases in the US is ciprofloxacin, known in the UK as ciproxin.

Pulmonary AnthraxPulmonary Anthrax

Notice the dark red patches in the otherwise bright red lung tissue. The dark parches are the site of infection.

Pulmonary AnthraxPulmonary Anthrax

CT scan through chest. Shows enlarged blood-filled lymph nodes (blue arrows) next to main stem bronchi and fluid surrounding both lungs (red arrows).  

Pulmonary AnthraxPulmonary Anthrax

The arrows indicate the areas of fluid buildup due to infection

Anthrax growth in lung Anthrax growth in lung tissuetissue

Gastrointestinal AnthraxGastrointestinal Anthrax

Gastrointestinal anthraxThis type of the disease is rare and develops after a person eats meat contaminated with anthrax.

SymptomsIntestinal anthrax is characterized by acute inflammation of the gut. Initial nausea, loss of appetite, fever and vomiting is followed by abdominal pain, vomiting of blood and acute diarrhea.

Gastrointestinal AnthraxGastrointestinal Anthrax

EffectsWithout treatment it results in death for 24% to 60% of cases.

TreatmentAnthrax can be treated with antibiotics.

Hypothetical weponized Hypothetical weponized anthraxanthrax

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