Three rare cases of anthrax arising from the same source

Babamahmoodi, F., Aghabarari, F., Arjmand, A. and Ashrafi, G.H. (2006) Three rare cases of anthrax arising from the same source. Journal of Infection, 53(4), e175-e179. (doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2005.12.018)

Abstract

Anthrax is an acute bacterial infection caused by Bacillus anthracis. Humans become infected under natural conditions by contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products. About 95% of human anthrax is cutaneous and 5% respiratory. Gastrointestinal anthrax is very rare, and has been reported in less than 1% of all cases. Anthrax meningitis is a rare complication of any of the other three forms of disease. We report three rare cases of anthrax (gastrointestinal, oropharyngeal and meningitis) arising from the same source. The three patients were from a single family and were admitted with different clinical pictures after the ingestion of half-cooked meat from a sick sheep. These cases emphasize the need for awareness of anthrax in the differential diagnosis in areas where the disease remains endemic.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: Anthrax; Gastrointestinal; Oropharyngeal; Intestinal; Meningitis.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Ashrafi, Dr Gholam Hossein
• Authors: Babamahmoodi, F., Aghabarari, F., Arjmand, A., and Ashrafi, G.H.
• Subjects: Q Science > QR Microbiology; S Agriculture > SF Animal culture > SF600 Veterinary Medicine
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences
• Journal Name: Journal of Infection
• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• ISSN: 1532-2742
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2006 Elsevier Science
• First Published: First published in Journal of Infection 53(4):e175-e179
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher