What is Anthrax? What are the symptoms of anthrax disease?

Anthrax, caused by a bacterium called Bacillus anthracis, is a serious infectious disease that is contagious but does not spread from person to person. It is usually transmitted to humans through grass-eating animals such as cattle, sheep and goats. It is widely found in nature thanks to its spores that can survive in the soil for a long time. Transmission to humans occurs through direct contact with animals or animal products, consumption of contaminated food, or inhalation of infected dust. It can affect different areas such as the skin, lungs and digestive system. Each type has different symptoms.

What is Anthrax?

It is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Bacteria can survive for a long time in the form of spores in the external environment and are resistant to environmental conditions. Due to these properties, anthrax bacteria spores can be found in animal pastures, farms and areas in contact with soil. Anthrax is a zoonotic disease. So it can be transmitted from animals to humans. The disease can enter the body through the skin, lungs or digestive system, causing serious infections. The disease can be severe, but the chance of recovery is high with early diagnosis and treatment.

What Causes Anthrax?

The cause of anthrax disease is the entry into the body of the Bacillus anthracis bacteria. Bacterial spores can be transmitted to humans through direct contact with infected animals or products of these animals. The spores produced by this bacterium can survive in the soil for years, thanks to their highly durable structure. Anthrax is especially common in farm animals. Farm animals that have not been raised in good conditions or vaccinated are particularly likely to become infected. Animals can become sick by ingesting the bacteria from grass or water sources where the spores are present. Transmission to humans usually occurs through the following means:

• Transmission through skinAnthrax bacteria can enter the skin when humans come into direct contact with the skin, hides, or other animal products of infected animals. This is the most common mode of transmission. In cutaneous anthrax, a painless, crusty sore usually forms in the affected area.
• respiratory transmission: It is the most dangerous type of anthrax. It is usually transmitted by inhalation of spores. This can occur as a result of handling infected animal products or contact with soil and dust containing high concentrations of spores. Pulmonary anthrax causes serious respiratory problems when the bacteria settles in the lungs and multiplies rapidly and can be fatal if left untreated.
• Transmission through digestion: It occurs by consuming the meat of infected animals. Bacteria settling in the digestive system cause inflammation and bleeding in the stomach and intestines. Although rare, digestive anthrax can cause a severe clinical picture.

What are the symptoms of anthrax?

The symptoms of anthrax vary depending on the route of entry into the body. Generally, three different clinical pictures occur. Symptoms of anthrax according to the three forms are as follows:

• Anthrax transmitted through the skin usually begins with itching in the contact area. Then a red blister forms. This swelling soon turns into a fluid-filled blister and turns into a black crusted wound. These sores are usually painless and edema may develop around them. If left untreated, the disease may progress and enter the bloodstream and cause systemic infection.
• The form, which occurs as a result of inhalation of spores, begins with flu-like symptoms. Fever, weakness, cough and chest pain occur. As the disease progresses, respiratory failure, high fever and severe chest pain occur.
• When bacteria ingested through digestion settle in the stomach and intestines, symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea and fever. This form can also be fatal when it progresses.

What are the Types of Anthrax?

It is divided into three main types depending on the way the infection enters the body: skin, lung and digestive anthrax. There is also another type called injection anthrax, although it is very rare. Each type of anthrax shows different symptoms and can cause changes in the course of the disease. Anthrax types can be detailed as follows:

Cutaneous Anthrax

It is the most common type of anthrax. It occurs as a result of infection entering the body through the skin. It is more common in people who have direct contact with infected animals or animal products, especially farmers, slaughter workers and veterinarians. Cutaneous anthrax infections account for approximately 95% of total anthrax cases and can often be treated successfully with the right treatment.

Pulmonary (Respiratory) Anthrax

It is the most dangerous and deadly type of anthrax. It occurs when anthrax spores enter the body through inhalation and settle in the lungs. This strain can pose a great risk if used as a biological weapon, as it occurs through inhalation of spores. For this reason, it is a species that requires more attention, especially in high-risk laboratory workers or people who come into direct contact with infected animals. Pulmonary anthrax occurs when anthrax spores are inhaled and reach the lungs. Once the spores enter the lungs, they become activated and produce toxins, causing damage to lung tissue. These bacteria can pass from the lungs into the blood and spread throughout the body.

Symptoms of pulmonary anthrax begin with flu-like complaints: symptoms such as mild fever, cough, weakness and muscle aches. However, within a few days, symptoms worsen rapidly. Serious respiratory problems such as high fever, shortness of breath, chest pain and severe cough develop. As the disease progresses, fatal complications such as septic shock and respiratory failure may occur.

Digestive Anthrax

It is a rare type of anthrax. It occurs by consuming infected animal meat or animal products. This type can be seen especially in areas where food safety is not ensured or when poorly cooked meat is consumed. The first symptoms of digestive anthrax include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea and fever. As the disease progresses, severe inflammation, bleeding and tissue death occur in the intestines. Abdominal pain may intensify and spread to other organs of the body. If left untreated, it can progress rapidly and become fatal.

Injection Anthrax

This rare type usually occurs in drug addicts through the use of contaminated needles or syringes. This has been observed among heroin users, especially in Europe. Although cases of injection anthrax are very rare, they are quite dangerous. It tends to spread in deep tissues.

Bacteria that enter the body through injection reach the muscle or subcutaneous tissues. Here it multiplies rapidly, secretes toxins and damages the surrounding tissues. It causes infection in deep muscle tissues and manifests itself with symptoms such as severe edema, skin redness, pain and tissue necrosis (tissue death). Infection can progress rapidly and lead to systemic infection, which can become fatal. Injection anthrax progresses faster than other types of anthrax and can lead to severe complications such as septic shock and multiple organ failure.

How Is Anthrax Diagnosed?

It is determined by clinical evaluation, taking into account the patient’s symptoms and possible exposure history. Laboratory tests may be performed to diagnose anthrax. In these tests, the doctor asks to detect the presence of bacteria by taking blood, skin lesion fluid, sputum or stool samples. When pulmonary anthrax is suspected, the spread of the infection is examined with a lung x-ray or CT scan. Additionally, in case of cutaneous anthrax, a sample can be taken from the skin lesion and examined under a microscope. Early diagnosis is very important in the treatment process of anthrax.

Anthrax Treatment

During the treatment of anthrax in the early stages, medications prescribed by the doctor are used. In addition, supportive treatment can be applied in cases where cases become severe. Measures such as increasing the patient’s body resistance, preventing fluid loss and providing oxygen support when necessary are important in this process. Additionally, in some cases such as cutaneous anthrax, surgical intervention may be required, especially if there is pus or dead tissue formation in the injured area. With this intervention, the healing process is accelerated by removing infected tissue.