• Aerobic Gram +ve Bacillus anthracis

• Notifiable disease of animals – infects cattle
• Causes rapidly fatal septicaemic infection – pastures contaminated with spores for many years
• Not in UK but endemic in parts of Africa, India & South America
• Man acquires infection by contact, inhalation or ingestion
• Largely occupational risk although cases after contact with razors etc.

 

Treatment

• Penicillin
• Vaccines available for animals + people

 

 

Dr. N Sparrow - January 26th 2006

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