Anthrax

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Cutaneous anthrax

Anthrax

Alternative Names:

Wool sorter's disease; Ragpicker's disease

Treatment:

The mainstay of treatment is early antibiotic therapy. Several antibiotics are effective, including penicillin, doxycycline, and ciprofloxacin (Cipro).

When treating inhalation anthrax, a combination of antibiotics should be used, often starting with an intravenous form of Cipro plus another agent.

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Cutaneous anthrax is treated with oral (pill-form) antibiotics.

The length of treatment is currently about 60 days, since it may take spores that long to germinate.

In the event of a bioterrorist attack, the National Pharmaceutical Stockpile is available to supplement and help provide antibiotics should a shortage occur.

Expectations (prognosis):

When treated with antibiotics, the prognosis of cutaneous anthrax is excellent. Untreated, however, up to 20% of individuals may die, due to anthrax-related blood infections.

Patients with second-stage inhalation anthrax have a poor outlook, even with antibiotic therapy. Up to 90% of cases in the second stage are fatal.

The prognosis of gastrointestinal anthrax is also poor. A a high number of individualsdie from this form of the disease.

Complications:

Cutaneous anthrax: Spread of infection into the bloodstream
Inhalational anthrax: Hemorrhagic meningitis, mediastinitis, shock, and death
Gastrointestinal anthrax: Hemorrhage, shock, and death

Calling your health care provider:

Callyour health care provider if you have had an exposure to anthrax, or if you develop signs and symptoms of cutaneous, inhalation, or gastrointestinal anthrax.

References:

Reissman DB, Whitney EA, Taylor TH Jr, et al. One-Year Health Assessment of Adult Survivors of Bacillus anthracis Infection.JAMA. 2004;291:1994-1998.

Inglesby TV, O'Toole T, Henderson DA, et al. Anthrax as a Biological Weapon, 2002. JAMA.160;2002;287:2236-2252.