Anthrax

Anthrax is a serious disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. While anthrax most commonly occurs in animals (such as cattle, sheep, and antelopes), it can affect humans. There are three major types of anthrax: cutaneous (skin) anthrax, inhalation anthrax, and gastrointestinal anthrax. Anthrax transmission typically occurs in one of two ways: from animals, or as the result of a biological weapon. Anthrax treatment usually involves antibiotics, and providing relief of symptoms and complications as the body fights the anthrax bacteria.

 

What Is Anthrax?

Anthrax is a potentially fatal disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax is well known for its role in the 2001 bioterrorist attacks, in which the lethal anthrax bacteria were spread deliberately through the US mail. Twenty-two people became ill, and five died.
 

Understanding Bacillus Anthracis

Bacillus anthracis are the bacteria that cause anthrax. It is a bacterium that lives in soil. Bacillus anthracis is different than many other bacteria because they form spores. In this form, the Bacillus anthracis can lie dormant, but may come to life with the right conditions. Once the Bacillus anthracis bacteria come to life, they can have deadly effects. Bacillus anthracis is an aerobic bacterium, meaning it requires oxygen to survive and grow.
 

Anthrax and Who It Affects

Anthrax most commonly occurs in wild and domestic animals (cattle, sheep, goats, camels, antelopes, and other plant-eating animals), but it can also occur in humans. A person may develop anthrax if he or she is exposed to infected animals, tissue from infected animals, or anthrax spores used as a bioterrorist weapon.
 

Types of Anthrax

There are three major types of anthrax:
 
About 95 percent of anthrax infections are cutaneous anthrax.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD