infections
Anthrax
Introduction
, a Overview of Gram-Positive Bacteria , rod-shaped bacteria (see figure Anthrax rarely occurs in people; when it does, it usually results from skin contact but can result from inhaling anthrax spores, eating contaminated meat, or rarely by injecting contaminated illicit drugs. Anthrax spores are a potential biological weapon. Anthrax bacteria produce several toxins, which cause many of the symptoms. Symptoms include bumps and blisters (after skin contact), difficulty breathing and chest pain (after inhaling spores), and abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea (after eating contaminated meat). Symptoms suggest the infection, and identifying the bacteria in samples taken from infected tissue confirms the diagnosis. People at high risk of being exposed to anthrax are vaccinated. Antibiotics and the vaccine must be given soon after exposure to reduce the risk of severe illness or death. (See also Overview of Bacteria .) Anthrax can occur in wild and domestic animals that graze, such as cattle, sheep, and goats, and in other animals such as horses, hippos, elephants, and Cape buffalo. Anthrax bacteria produce spores that can live for years in soil. Grazing animals become infected when they have contact with or consume the spores. Usually, anthrax is transmitted to people when they have contact with infected animals or animal products (such as wool, hides, and hair). Spores may remain in animal products for decades and are not easily killed by cold or heat. Even minimal contact is likely to result in infection. Although infection in people usually occurs through the skin, it can also result from inhaling spores (inhalation anthrax), eating contaminated, undercooked meat (gastrointestinal anthrax), or rarely by injecting contaminated illicit drugs. Anthrax is rare in humans and is not contagious from person to person. However, in rare cases, skin anthrax (cutaneous anthrax) may be spread from person to person by direct contact with an infected person or an object contaminated by an infected person. Inhalation anthrax, gastrointestinal anthrax, and injection anthrax are not spread from person to person. Anthrax is a potential Biological Weapons because anthrax spores can be spread through the air and inhaled. In the anthrax bioattacks of 2001, spores were spread in envelopes mailed via the United States Postal Service. Recently, injection anthrax has developed in people in northern Europe who inject contaminated heroin. Anthrax that is spread in this way has not been seen in the United States. Anthrax bacteria produce several toxins, which cause many of the symptoms. 