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Bacillus anthracis |
| Definition: |
| An aerobic spore-forming bacterium that causes disease in humans and animals. |
| Alternative Names: |
| Anthrax
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| Information: |
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Livestock may become infected by eating or inhaling anthrax spores. Humans, especially farmers and individuals who work in slaughterhouses, may develop cutaneous anthrax through exposure of skin to infected animals. Humans can also develop inhalational anthrax by breathing in infected material. Anthrax infection is usually diagnosed by identifying the bacteria from skin blisters, blood, or other body fluids. The anthraxserology test can determine if a person has been exposed to Bacillus anthracis previously. |
Reviewed By: David N. Fisman, M.D., M.P.H., FRCP(C). Hamilton Department of Social and Public Health Services, and McMaster University Division of Infectious Diseases, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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