Anthrax

Question 1

a non motile,gram-positive,aerobic rod.
Zoonosis.
Spores can remain dormant in the soil for decades

Answer 1

Bacillus anthracis

Question 2

Primary infection in what sytem?

Answer 2

Skin, Pulmo, GI

Question 3

Transmission

Answer 3

Zoonosis of mammals, especially herbivores. Human infections result from contact with contaminated wild and domestic animals or animal products. Human-to-human transmission does not occur. At risk: Farmers, herders; slaughterhouse, textile workers.

Question 4

Lesions

Answer 4

Cut or abrasion on exposed sites of head, neck, extremities. Nondescript, painless, pruritic papule
(resemblinginsectbite) appears 3to5 days after introduction of endospores.
In 1 to 2days, evolves to vesicle(s)± hemorrhage+ necrosis.
Vesicles rupture to form ulcers with extensive local edema , ultimately forming dry eschars (1 to 3 cm). Satellite lesions can form in a nodular lymphangitis proximally on edematous extremity

Question 5

Mortality rate in cutaneous anthrax.

Answer 5

20%

Question 6

Treatment

Answer 6

Systemic penicillin is the drug of choice;

alternatives are erythromycin,azathioprin,clarithromycin,or cephalosporins