Bacillus anthracis
Published on Feb 10, 2016
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PRESENTATION OUTLINE
Bacillus anthracis
Anthrax
Bacteriology
- From Greek word "anthrakis" (coal)
- Can survive for decades as spores in soil
- Was used as a biological warfare agent
- large Gram positive, aerobic, spore bearing bacillus
- Only obligate pathogen within genus bacillus
*Greek word for coal due to its black coal like cutaneous eschars
*spores do not form in host tissue unless the infected body fluids are exposed to air
*spores do not form in host tissue unless the infected body fluids are exposed to air
Photo by BlueRidgeKitties
Pathogenisis
- Tri- toxin bearing plasmid
- Cutaneous, gastrointestinal, and inhalation
- Germination occurs 60 days after exposure
*cause haemorrhage, edema, and necrosis
*3 disease forms
*3 disease forms
Epidemiology
- Usually caused by contact with infected animals or animal products
- Humans are generally moderatelly resistant
- 1979- 1985 largest human epidemic
*factory workers who deal with hides or wool
*one woollen mill workers were inhaling between 600- 1300 spores during an 8 hour shift with no ill effects
*Zimbabwe more than 10,000 cases with most of them were cutaneous
*one woollen mill workers were inhaling between 600- 1300 spores during an 8 hour shift with no ill effects
*Zimbabwe more than 10,000 cases with most of them were cutaneous
Vaccines/treatment
- Different vaccines for each countries
- High side effects and costly
- Penicillin (or nah)
Photo by Daniel Paquet
Biological Warfare
- 2001 anthrax appeared after 25 years in U.S.
- First used by Germany in WW1
- Can cause mass illness
Photo by DVIDSHUB
