Bacillus anthracis is an aerobic spore-forming bacterium that
causes disease in humans and animals. The bacteria is found in two
forms cutaneous anthrax and inhalation anthrax. Cutaneous anthrax
is an infection of the skin caused by direct contact with the
bacterium. Inhalation or respiratory anthrax is an infectious
disease caused by inhaling the spores of the bacterium. While
anthrax commonly affects hoofed animals such as sheep and goats,
humans may acquire this disease as well. Anthrax is a potential
agent for use as a biological weapon or bio-terrorism.
Review Date: 08/28/2009
Reviewed By: Linda Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of
Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of
Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine,
Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of
Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General
Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director,
A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
