Bacillus SaprophyticB.cereusB.subtilisB.megateriumB.CirculansPathogenicB.anthracis

B.anthracis B.anthracis It is aerobic G+ve, large,square-ended (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. It is aerobic G+ve, large,square-ended (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.

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

Antigens C.W Ag C.W Ag Capsular Ag. Capsular Ag. Somatic Ag Somatic Ag

Types of anthrax There are three clinical types of anthrax based on the route of infection There are three clinical types of anthrax based on the route of infection 1-Skin or coetaneous anthrax (Malignant pustule) 1-Skin or coetaneous anthrax (Malignant pustule) 2- Respiratory or pulmonary anthrax (wool sorters' disease) 2- Respiratory or pulmonary anthrax (wool sorters' disease) 3- Intestinal anthrax (rare) in primitive or poor society. Eat meat of infected 3- Intestinal anthrax (rare) in primitive or poor society. Eat meat of infected animals animals

Pathogenesis 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. 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. 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. Once the organism looses its capsule, it will die easily because it looses its virulence.

Clinical findings Skin anthrax: a papule first develops within 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. Skin anthrax: a papule first develops within 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. 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. 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. Hence, all types of anthrax, if not treated in time, progress to septicemia and death occurs from overwhelming infection.

Lab DX Specimens: Pus, Blood, swabs, fluid, sputum Specimens: Pus, Blood, swabs, fluid, sputum Smear Smear Culture: Culture: 1-Medusa head 1-Medusa head 2-fir tree appearance 2-fir tree appearance 3-curled hair 3-curled hair Animal inoculation Animal inoculation Serodiagnosis Serodiagnosis

Treatment B.anthracis B.anthracis Pencillin, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, tetracycline Pencillin, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, tetracycline Other Bacillus spp: Other Bacillus spp: Vancomycin, ciprofloxacin Vancomycin, ciprofloxacin