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Allergic Sensitivities
Arthropod Infestations
Bacterial Diseases
Bites and Scratches
Cestode Zoonoses
Fungal Infections
Nematode Zoonoses
Protozoan Diseases
Rickettsial Diseases
Trematode Zoonosis
Viral Diseases
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Zoonotic Diseases
Bacterial Diseases - ANTHRAX
(Malignant pustule, Woolsorter's disease, Charbon, Malignant edema,
Splenic fever)
AGENT:
Bacillus anthracis, a gram-positive spore-forming aerobic rod.
RESERVOIR AND INCIDENCE:
Occurrence is worldwide. Most mammals susceptible; most commonly seen in cattle,
sheep, horses, swine, goats (guinea pigs, rabbits, mice, experimentally)
TRANSMISSION:
Herbivorous animals infected by ingestion of spores which are viable in soil for
years. Man is infected by handling contaminated carcasses, wool, hide, or hair.
Also can be infected by ingestion or inhalation of spores or bacilli. Recent outbreaks
have been related to prospective military use of the organism.
DISEASE IN ANIMALS:
Sudden, acute illness, with high fever, localized swellings, bleeding from body
orifices, death in 1 to 3 days. Blood is non-clotting.
DISEASE IN MAN:
Cutaneous form ("malignant pustule"): most common, incubation 1 to 7 days, then
an erythematous papule appears on an exposed area of skin and becomes vesicular,
with a purple to black center. The center of the lesion finally forms a necrotic
eschar and sloughs. Regional adenopathy, fever, malaise, headache, and nausea
and vomiting may be present. After the eschar sloughs, hematogenous spread and
sepsis may occur, resulting in shock, cyanosis, sweating, and collapse. Hemorrhagic
meningitis may also occur. 20% fatality if not treated. Pulmonary form ("Woolsorter's
disease"): following the inhalation of spores from hides, bristles, or wool, incubation
1 to 5 days, fever, cough, dyspnea, respiratory failure and death in 24 hours.
100% fatality. Intestinal form: incubation 12 hours to 5 days, anorexia, vomiting,
diarrhea, 50% fatality if untreated.
DIAGNOSIS:
Gram or Giemsa stain of sputum, blood or tissue or culture
TREATMENT:
Penicillin G.
For mild cases, tetracycline.
PREVENTION\CONTROL:
Vaccine for livestock and high risk personnel. o avoid necropsy of suspect animals,
o disinfect wool or hair from animals in endemic areas with 10% formalin, 5%lye
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