Bacillus anthracis

• Illustrations
• Alternative names
• Definition

• Information
• References

Alternative names    Return to top

Definition    Return to top

Bacillus anthracis is a type of aerobic spore-forming bactera that causes anthrax disease.

Information    Return to top

Livestock may become infected by eating or inhaling anthrax spores. Humans, especially farmers and individuals who work in slaughterhouses, may develop cutaneous anthrax through skin exposure to infected animals.

Humans can alsoВ get inhalational anthrax by breathing in material contaminated with the bacteria.

Anthrax infection is usually diagnosed by identifying the bacteria within skin blisters, blood, or other body fluids. The anthrax serology test can determine if a person has been previously exposed to Bacillus anthracis.

The anthrax bacteriumВ is a potential biological weapon.В In 2001, bioterrorist activities involving the U.S. Postal Service infectedВ 22 people with anthrax; 7 survivors had confirmed cutaneous anthrax disease. However, most bio-terrorism experts have concluded that it is technologically difficult to use anthrax effectively as a weapon on a large scale.

References    Return to top

Reissman DB, Whitney EA, Taylor TH Jr, et al. One-Year Health Assessment of Adult Survivors of Bacillus anthracis Infection.В В JAMA. 2004;291:1994-1998.

Inglesby TV, O'Toole T, Henderson DA, et al. Anthrax as a Biological Weapon, 2002. JAMA.В 2002;287:2236-2252.