The bacteria Bacillus anthracis, the etiologic agent of Anthrax, is a large, gram positive, sporulating rod. Approximately 2-6 µm in length, this bacterium can be cultivated in ordinary nutrient medium under aerobic or anaerobic conditions. More commonly recognized by the name Anthrax, this bacterial pathogen is primarily a disease of domesticated and wild animals, particularly herbivorous animals, such as cattle, sheep, horses, mules, and goats. Humans become infected incidentally when brought into contact with diseased animals, which includes their flesh, bones, hides, hair and excrement. Recent bio-terrorism events in history dictate the necessity for a complete understanding of Anthrax and its infectious abilities. Unfortunately, the road to such discovery is long and arduous.
The virulence of Anthrax depends on two factors: the bacterial capsule and the toxin complex. All virulent strains of B. anthracis form a single antigenic type of capsule consisting of a poly-D-glutamate polypeptide. The unusual poly-D-glutamyl acid capsule is itself nontoxic, but functions to protect the organism against the bactericidal components of serum and phagocytes and against phagocytic engulfment. Capsule production depends on a 60-megadalton plasmid, pX02; its transfer to nonencapsulated B. anthracis via transduction produces the encapsulated phenotype. The capsule plays its most important role during the establishment of the infection and a less significant role in the terminal phases of the disease, which are mediated by the Anthrax toxin.
The Anthrax toxins are composed of three proteins: the protective antigen, the lethal factor and the edema factor. The protective antigen is an 83-kd protein that binds to the target cell receptors. Once bound, a 20-kd fragment is proteolysed, thus exposing an additional binding site. This binding site can combine with either edema factor (89-kd protein) to form edema toxin, or lethal factor (90-kd protein), to form lethal toxin.
Bacillus anthracis, commonly known, as anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by endosporic bacterium. ... Bacillus anthracis is the only obligate Bacillus pathogen in vertebrates. ... Bacillus anthracis has become the prototypical biological warfare agent. ... It wasn't until April of 1998 that further discoveries were made about Bacillus anthracis. ... Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis). ...
Anthrax is a serious disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, a bacterium that forms spores. ... Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. ... B. anthracis spores can live in the soil for many years, and humans can become infected with anthrax by handling products from infected animals or by inhaling anthrax spores from contaminated animal products. ... This large gram-positive, spore-forming rod (Bacillus anthracis) has an almost worldwide distribution and might be recovered from the soil in areas where no human or zoonotic cases are reporte...
What you may not know is, anthrax is an infectious virus caused by bacterium called Bacillus Anthracis. ... Anthrax is caused by the sporulating bacterium Bacillus Anthracis which can be found in the soil in many parts of the world. ... The nasal swab is primarily used as an indicator to see if the suspected patient has actually been exposed to Bacillus Anthracis or not. ... Anthracis spores. Fortunately for the world, Bacillus Anthracis is a very rare bacterium, and immunization shots can even be given to prevent infections. ...
Bacillus anthracis - Anthrax This specific disease begins as a small papule, as shown above. Also, sepsis with gram-positive rods is identified in blood or cerebrospinal fluid. The size is 1m X 2m a rod. This disease attacks a victim by first getting into their system by being inhaled, or...
Anthracis--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-6 Cutaneous Anthrax ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-3 Gastrointestinal Anthrax ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3-4 Inhalation Anthrax -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4-5 Anthrax Sepsis and Shock-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------5-6 Treatment---------------...
In 1877, Robert koch grew an organism called anthrax. He tested, demonstrated, and produced anthrax by injecting it into animals. Anthrax is an animal disease that can be transmitted to humans by direct contact with infected animals or their products. The spore-forming bacteria called Bacillus Anthr...
Anthrax is a bacteria; it has a spore form called Bacillus Anthracis that is very durable. ... United States proceeded with research into the use of Anthrax bacillus as a weapon in World War II. During this war no combatants used anthrax during this war, the Anthracis bacillus was tested on both animals and allied prisoners. ... An unknown person or group has chosen to distribute Bacillus Anthracis via the U.S. ...
"Anthrax is the most deadliset chemical weapon around".Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. ... The possibility of creating aerosols containing anthrax spores has made B. anthracis a chosen weapon of bioterrorism. Iraq, Russia, North Korea and as many as ten nations have the capability to load spores of B. anthracis into weapons. ... Spores of B. anthracis can be produced and stored in a dry form and remain viable for decades in storage or after release. ...
