Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
positive rod. It is often described as "box car shaped".
Reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC151073/
c
The three major anthrax syndromes are:
Cutaneous anthrax
Inhalation (pulmonary) anthrax
Alimentary (oral and gastrointestinal) anthrax
B. anthracis is the only bacteria with a protein capsule, specifically a protein (polyD
glutamate) capsule.
c
Bacillus anthracis releases anthrax toxin, which consists of protective antigen (PA), plus
either edema factor (EF) or lethal factor (LF). The combination of PA and EF is called edema
toxin (ET). The combination of PA and LF is called lethal toxin (LT).
c
Protective antigen (PA) becomes a channel in the mammalian plasma membrane, allowing
translocation of edema factor (EF) or lethal factor (LF) into the cytosol.
c
Edema factor (EF), upon entering the cell, becomes an adenylate cyclase that increases
cellular cAMP, causing edema and disruption of innate immunity.
c
Lethal factor (LF), upon entering the cell, inactivates the MAP kinase pathway, leading to
rapid cell death.
c
Bacillus anthracis is transmitted via skin contact, inhalation, or ingestion of spores and often
occurs in individuals exposed to infected herbivores, their skins, and carcasses.
c
Bacillus anthracis spores are present in dry soil and in the gastrointestinal tract of
animals. Exposure to infected cows, goats, and other herbivores, and their carcasses, skins, furs,
and other products can cause naturallyoccurring anthrax infection
When exposed to harsh conditions, Bacillus anthracis forms spores. Spores can survive in dry
soil and goat skin for many years. Grazing herbivores ingest spores on grass and acquire
alimentary canal anthrax. Spores are excreted in feces. Humans can acquire spores via close
contact with infected animal products. Once exposed to suitable conditions in humans or
animals, the spores revert to metabolically active bacteria.
c
Clinical presentation depends on the route of exposure. Patients typically present with
Necrotic pustules in cutaneous anthrax
Flulike symptoms that rapidly progress to fever, pulmonary hemorrhage,
mediastinitis, and shock in inhalation anthrax
Dysentery in alimentary tract anthrax
Cutaneous anthrax, the most common form, presents with rapidly growing papule developing
into a painless ulcerous vesicle with a black necrotic eschar, accompanied by edema of
surrounding tissues.
c
Inhalation anthrax presents with nonspecific myalgias, fever, chest pain, and cough due to
hemorrhage of thoracic lymph nodes, hemorrhagic mediastinitis, and necrotizing pneumonia.
This is followed by bacteremia and meningitis in a fatal fulminant phase.
c
Alimentary tract anthrax presents with abdominal pain, dysentery, and necrotic ulcers of the
oral and gastrointestinal tract.
c
Widening of the mediastinum is a classic finding of inhalation anthrax, due to the hemorrhagic
mediastinitis. This is a nonspecific finding.
Diagnosis of B. anthracis is made with standard culture revealing grampositive bacilli in
chains.
c
Fluoroquinolones (eg, ciprofloxacin) are typically used to treat localized cutaneous anthrax.
Individuals with systemic anthrax (ie, inhalation or alimentary tract disease) and those with
extensive cutaneous involvement are treated with combination antimicrobial therapy.
c
Anthrax vaccination of susceptible livestock is key to preventing naturallyoccurring anthrax
outbreaks.
c
Raxibacumab and obiltoxaximab are monoclonal antibodies directed against the protective
antigen (PA) of anthrax toxin that prevent the binding of PA to its cellular receptors,
consequently preventing the cellular entry of lethal factor and edema factor toxins