Bacillus Anthracis(anthrax)

Cutaneous• Cutaneous anthrax occurs when anthrax spores

touch a cut or scrape on the skin.• infection begins as a raised, itchy bump that

resembles an insect bite, but within one to two days develops into a blister.

• This type is not usually fatal

Gastrointestinal• This type is acquired by eating contaminated

meat• Symptoms similar to that of the flu• 25-60% of cases are fatal

Inhalation• Inhalation anthrax is caused by breathing in the anthrax

bacteria or spores• Initial symptoms may resemble a common cold. • Worsens to severe breathing problems and shock. • This type of anthrax is usually fatal.

Victims

• Victims are people who work with or eat animal products like meat, wool, hides, leather, and especially goat hair.

Where it lives

• Asia, Africa, S. America, and the Middle east are the most common areas. There has never been a confirmed case in the US, but it could happen anywhere.

Prevention/treatment

In most cases, treatment for anthrax involves antibiotics. If a diagnosis is made early, treatment with can be successful. Once the more severe symptoms begin to develop, the destructive toxins have already risen to high levels, which makes treatment difficult.

What it does to cells• Anthrax infects cells by the use of spores. In this form, it can lie dormant,

but may come to life with the right conditions. Once the bacteria come to life, they can have deadly effects.

• When environmental conditions are favorable, the spores will germinate into thriving colonies of bacteria

• When inside the cell, fluid builds up near the site of infection, sometimes to fatal levels.

• The toxins disrupt a molecular switch that regulates cell function

Sources

• http://anthrax.emedtv.com/anthrax/anthrax.html