Saprophytic
Pathogenic

It is aerobic G+ve, large ,square-ended
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(rectangular)bacilli with oval central spores, non motile, capsulated, arranged singly or in short chains, the organism grows well on blood agar.
Hemolysis is uncommon with B.anthracis but common with saprophytic bacilli. If the colonies are looked under microscopic lens. They will appear as apiece of curled hair. The colony is composed of continuous chain of bacilli. The colony is described as "Medusa- head ", this character is useful for DX & identification of the colony. By G.stain, some spores will be seen in between the vegetative cells and these spores appear as empty spaces with out stain. The spores usually
ْ resist boiling & some chemicals & dry heat of 140C but they are destroyed by autoclaving (moist heat) for
15 min.

Glucose , sucorose & maltose are fermented with production of acid
 only. The bacilli are catalase+ve and reduce nitrates to nitrites.

C.W Ag
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Capsular Ag.
Somatic Ag
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There are three clinical types of anthrax based on the route of infection
1-Skin or coetaneous anthrax (Malignant pustule)
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2- Respiratory or pulmonary anthrax (wool sorters' disease)
3- Intestinal anthrax (rare) in primitive or poor society. Eat meat of infected animals
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Anthrax is a zoonosis. The portal of entry is the
 respiratory tract, a cut in skin or the mouth when spores enter the human body, they lodge in one place
& starts to germinate they will produce toxins & enzymes till hemorrhage & oedema are produced .
In susceptible persons, the bacilli resist Φ & spread to lymphatic to the blood where they multiply freely in blood & tissues. While in resistant people, there is more leukocyte response with Φ and decapsulation of the microorganisms.
Once the organism looses its capsule, it will die easily because it looses its virulence.
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Skin anthrax: a papule first develops within 12-36 hrs after entry of the organisms or spores through a scratch. This papule rapidly changes into a vesicle, then a pustule, and finally a necrotic ulcer from which the infection may disseminate. Giving rise to septicemia.
Respiratory anthrax:: In inhalation anthrax , early manifestations may be mediastinitis, sepsis,
 meningitis, or hemorrhagic pulmonary edema.
Hemorrhagic pneumonia with shock is a terminal event.
Intestinal anthrax:: Ingestion of spores cause severe enteritis accompanied by bloody diarrhea with high fatality.
Hence, all types of anthrax, if not treated in time, progress to septicemia and death occurs from overwhelming infection.
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Specimens: Pus, Blood, swabs, fluid, sputum
Smear
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Culture:
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1-Medusa head
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2-fir tree appearance
3-curled hair
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Animal inoculation
Serodiagnosis
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Pencillin, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, tetracycline
Other Bacillus spp:
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Vancomycin, ciprofloxacin
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