Anthrax

- caused by gram positive aerobic bacillus - Bacillus anthracis
- cutaneous anthrax (most common form) commonly causes a painless, black indurated eschar (without pus), associated with marked edema
- mortality from cutaneous disease is 20%, whereas 90% for inhalational antrax is untreated
- gastrointestinal anthrax is due to consumption of undercooked, contaminated meat, can present with GI bleeds
- diagnosis: smear from cutaneous lesion or serological confirmation
- inhalational anthrax is associated with a poor yield from sputum culture with greatest yield from blood culture.
- treatment: ciprofloxacin, or doxycycline + clindamycin