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ANTHRAX: the DISEASE

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Describe the symptoms of inhalation anthrax ... Causative agent - Bacillus anthracis, a gram-positive spore. Characteristics of a ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Title: ANTHRAX: the DISEASE


1
ANTHRAX the DISEASE
2
Learning Objectives
  • Describe anthrax and the agent responsible for
    this disease
  • Discuss the use of anthrax as a biological weapon
  • List three (3) forms of the disease
  • Describe the symptoms of inhalation anthrax
  • Describe the treatment, mortality rate and
    post-exposure prophylaxis of anthrax

3
Anthrax
  • What is anthrax?
  • A rapidly progressing, acute bacterial infection
  • Causative agent - Bacillus anthracis, a
    gram-positive spore

4
Characteristics of a biological threat
  • Weaponized anthrax is difficult to detect
    (colorless, odorless and tasteless)
  • Extremely stable and can be stored almost
    indefinitely as a dry powder
  • Short incubation period (When inhaled, can cause
    respiratory failure and death within one week.)

5
Forms of Anthrax
  • Cutaneous (skin) anthrax
  • Gastrointestinal anthrax
  • Pulmonary or inhalation anthrax

6
Cutaneous Anthrax
  • Most common form
  • Has various sources of transmission
  • Contracted through a break in the skin

7
Symptoms of Cutaneous Anthrax
  • Erythematous papule
  • Vesicle with black center
  • Necrotic eschar
  • Can have viral-like symptoms

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Gastrointestinal Anthrax
  • Contracted by eating infected meat
  • Anthrax spores can live for long periods in the
    ground and water supply
  • Vaccinating livestock can reduce risk

15
Symptoms of Gastrointestinal Anthrax
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Fever
  • Abdominal pain

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Pulmonary or Inhalation Anthrax
  • Most deadly form
  • Inhaled spores migrate to lymph nodes bacteria
    multiply and produce toxins
  • Short incubation period 1-6 days

18
Symptoms of Inhalation Anthrax
  • Starts as a viral-like syndrome
  • joint and muscle pains
  • fever, malaise, fatigue, headache
  • cough, mild chest discomfort, dyspnea
  • congestion of nose, throat and larynx
  • Rapidly progresses to
  • respiratory distress, hemorrhagic meningitis or
    mediastinitis

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Mortality Rate
  • Cutaneous - lt 20
  • GI - gt 50
  • Inhalation - 99
  • in untreated individuals

23
Post- Exposure Prophylaxis
  • Antibiotics- Start within 24 hours of exposure
  • - Ciprofloxacin 500 mg po BID -
    Doxycycline 100 mg po BID
  • Most effective when combined with vaccination
  • Antibiotics are indicated even when fully
    immunized

24
Treatment for Inhalation Anthrax
  • Early IV antibiotics
  • Intensive care

25
  • Name the causitive agent for anthrax
  • Bacillus anthracis
  • Name 3 forms of the disease
  • 1. Cutaneous
  • 2. Gastrointestinal
  • Inhalation or pulmonary
  • What makes anthrax an optimal weapon for
    bioterrorists? (3)
  • Difficult to detect
  • Stable
  • Short incubation period
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