Anthrax (also known as splenic fever, malignant pustule or wool-sorter's disease) is a bacterial disease (a form of pneumonia) of sheep and cattle transmittable to humans, caused by Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax occurs in humans as an acute infection of the skin, causing the so-called 'malignant pustule'. There is also a pulmonary form known as 'wool-sorters' disease', and occasionally intestinal anthrax infection is seen. Anthrax generally attacks persons who work with hides, hair or wool, but may be spread by infected bristles in shaving brushes. The skin lesion is a black ulcerating vesicle, the patient being ill, and developing septicaemia within a few days unless treatment is given. The death rate is comparatively high; the pulmonary and intestinal forms are generally fatal. Anthrax is used in biological warfare as the bacteria can be stored for as much as 25 years before it dies. In September 2000, the USA was attacked by letters infected with anthrax being sent through the post by a CIA agent. Research Anthrax
Abbreviations
Medicine
Research Anthrax