Anthrax in LionsAdriana De Luna

Hello, I’m Dr. Wilde. I’m here as a part of a research group assigned to monitor the outbreak of anthrax in wild animals, particularly lions.

Nambeye, Piontkowski, Ndiva, Turnbull

A lion can be infected with anthrax by inhaling spores, but most obtain the disease by eating infected meat or drinking contaminated water. Inhaling spores is not likely because concentrations of the bacteria’s spores in air are low and attacked to dirt particles, which

are too large to infect lungs

Nambeye, Piontkowski, Ndiva

Many symptoms have been observed in a variety of animals. Some of these include trembling…

Nambeye, Piontkowski, Ndiva

Collapsting or weakness…

Nambeye, Piontkowski, Ndiva

And depression.

Ndiva, Turnbull

Anthrax is caused by a bacterium called Bacillus anthracis. This bacterium comes from soil and is a gram-positive, non-motile, aerobic bacterium. Bacillus anthracis can also form

capsules, which make it difficult for the immune system to destroy them. The bacteria multiply within the host and produce deadly toxins. Anthrax has also been called the black plague or

black death.

Nambeye, Cheun

Apparently, some lions have developed an immunity to anthrax due to exposure, but it is important to track down sources of infection to prevent future breakouts. The bacteria can be

detected using PCR and Bacillus cereus agar, which is a selective agar to isolate Bacillus cereus. This can be used to detect Bacillus anthracis because the two are closely related, but Bacillus

cereus appears blue on the agar.

Ndiva (Oct)

More outbreaks can be prevented by monitoring and vaccinating animals, controlling the movement of animals, and treating susceptible animals to

prevent disease.

Works Cited

• Cheun HI, Uchida I, Takeshi K, Shirahata T, Makino SI, Watarai M. 2001. A simple and sensitive detection system for Bacillus anthracis in meat and tissue. Journal of applied microbiology (91) [Internet]. [2001 Sept 1, cited 2014 Nov 13] Sept 2001. v. 91 (3), p. 421-426. 91 3. Available from: http://0-web.a.ebscohost.com.library.lander.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=32b67d3a-fe5d-4a1f-85d9-7a072afc4461%40sessionmgr4002&vid=8&hid=4201

• Nambeye . 2011. Anthrax outbreak — Zambia Wildlife Authority and Conservation Lower Zambezi battle it out.[Internet]. [2011 Nov 4, cited 2014 Nov 13] Available from: http://thebestofzambia.com/2011/11/anthrax-outbreak-zambia-wildlife-authority-and-conservation-lower-zambezi-battle-it-out/

• Ndiva MM, Hearne R, Khaitsa ML, Dyer NW, Stoltenow CL. 2008. A Review of Management Practices for the Control of Anthrax in Animals: The 2005 Anthrax Epizootic in North Dakota – Case Study. Zoonoses and public health (55) [Internet]. [2008 Aug 1, cited 2014 Nov 13] 2008 Aug., v. 55, no. 6, p. 279-290. 55 6. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1863-2378.2008.01135.x

• Ndiva MM, Khaitsa ML, Hearne R. 2008. Private and Public Economic Incentives for the Control of Animal Diseases: The Case of Anthrax in Livestock. Transboundary and emerging diseases (55) [Internet]. [2008 Oct 1, cited 2014 Nov 13] 2008 Oct., v. 55, no. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1865-1682.2008.01050.x

• Piontkowski MD, Stoltenow CL. 2001. Anthrax in Farm Animals. Colorado Serum Company (6) [Internet]. [2001 Aug, cited 2014 Nov 13] Available from: http://www.colorado-serum.com/vets/vol_1/vol1_6.htm

• Turnbull PC, Bennett AM, Parks SR, Lindeque PM, Le Roux J. 1998. Airborne movement of anthrax spores from carcass sites in the Etosha National Park, Namibia. Journal of applied microbiology (84) [Internet]. [1998 Apr 1, cited 2014 Nov 13] Apr 1998. v. 84 (4), p. 667-676. 84 4. Available from: http://0-web.a.ebscohost.com.library.lander.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=32b67d3a-fe5d-4a1f-85d9-7a072afc4461%40sessionmgr4002&vid=5&hid=4201

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