Anthrax can be found globally. It is more common in developing countries or countries without veterinary public health programs. Certain regions of the world(South and central America, Southern and eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and the middle East)report more anthrax in animals than others. Anthrax is primarily a disease of domesticated and wild animals, particularly herbivorous animals, such as cattle, sheep, horses, mules and goats. Humans become infected incidentally when brought into contact with diseased animals which is includes their flesh, bones hides, hair and excrement. When anthrax affects human, it is usually due to an occupational exposure to infected animal or their products. Worker who are exposed to dead animals and animal products from other countries where anthrax is more common may become infected with B. anthracis . In the all cases the spores need somewhere damp and warm to become active, and a dose of several thousand microscopic spores is needed to cause an infection. The spores cannot be seen by the naked eye.
Today anthrax is considered to be a potential agent for use in biological warfare. Anthrax spore would be released at a strategic location to be inhaled by the individuals under attack . Spore of B. athracis can be produced and stored in a dry form and remain viable for deeds in storage or after release. To be successfully used in an attack anthrax bacteria must be grown and the clumpy mass of spores must be dried and ground finely enough.
Diagnosis:
Anthrax is diagnosed by isolating B.anthracis from the blood of person, skin lesion or respiratory secretions or by measuring specific antibodies in the blood of person with suspected cases.
Pathology:
Anthrax is caused by a endospore-forming bacterium known as Bacillus anthracis. Bacilli are rod-shaped bacteria .Bacillus anthracis is classified as a Gram-positive, nonmotile, spore-forming bacterium .It is capable of growth under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Vegetative cells are 4-8um long x 1-1um wide. When they are not actively infecting a living body, they move into a dormant stage known as a spore. These hard-shelled spores have been known to survive for as long as 100 years. The bacteria infect immune cells known as phagocytes, releasing toxins as they grow and multiply until the cells burst. The immune response to this throws the system into shock and this is what kill the victim.
Transmission Of Anthrax:
There is no evidence of person to person transmission of anthrax. Anthrax spores may survive in the soil, water and no surfaces for many years. Infected animals could then transmit the disease to humans through the cutaneous, intestinal or inhalation route by spore from a contaminated animals, carcass or hide. If spores are found on a person in the nose for instance the person has been exposed. A person is not infected unless the spores have been activated, which can be tested by culturing a lesion on the skin or by checking the blood for antibodies against anthrax, for the toxins that anthrax produces.
Three Way OF Transmission:
Symptoms of disease vary depending on how the disease was contacted, but symptoms usually occur with in 7 days
Skin:
Spores can also work their way into a cut or scrap and cause an infection known as cutaneous anthrax. This is most common form, and in humans it kills 20% of victims if they are not treated with antibiotics or Alternative Medicine. Most 95% anthrax infection occur when the bacterium enters a cut or abrasion on the skin. Such as when handling contaminated wool, hides, leather or hair products (especially goat hair) of infected animals. This is usually acquired via injured skin or mucous membranes. A minor scratch or abrasion, usually on an exposed area of the face or neck or arms, is inoculated by spores from the soil or a contaminated animal. The spore germinate , vegetative cell multiply , and characteristic lesion develops at the site. In severe cases, where the blood stream is eventually invaded, the disease may be fatal. Distinctive black scabs form thus name anthracis, which comes from the Greek word for coal. Skin infection begins as a raised itchy bump that resembles an insect bite but within 1-2 days develop into a vesicle and than a painless ulcer, usually 1-3 cm in diameter with a characteristic black necrotic (dying) area in the center. Lymph glands in the adjacent area may swell.
Inhalation:
Inhalation anthrax is wool stores disease result most communally from inhalation of spore containing dust where animal hair or hides are being handled. The spores can be inhaled activated by the warm wet interior of the lungs. The disease begins abruptly with high fever and chest pain. It progresses rapidly to a systemic hemorrhagic pathology and is often fatal if treatment cannot stop the invasive aspect of the infection. In humans, this form of the disease is the most deadly because it starts out looking like a cold or flu but rapidly progresses to pneumonia or meningitis and if untreated it kills 90 percent of its victims. Initial symptoms may resemble a common cold. After several days, the symptoms may progress to severe breathing problems and shock. Inhalation anthrax is usually fatal.
Gastrointestinal:
Gastrointestinal anthrax is found in infected meat or when the spores are otherwise swallowed. Intestinal anthrax is analogous to cutaneous anthrax but occurs on the intestinal mucosa. As in cutaneous anthrax the organisms probably invade the mucosa through a pre exiting lesion. The bacteria spread from the mucosal lesion to the lymphatic system. Intestinal anthrax result from the ingestion of poorly cooked meat from infected animals. Intestinal anthrax although extremely rare in developed countries. The intestinal disease form of anthrax may follow the consumption of contaminated meat and is characterized by an acute inflammation of the intestinal tract. Initial signs of nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting fever are followed by abdominal pain, vomiting of blood, and sever diarrhea. Intestinal anthrax result in death in 25% to 60% of cases.
Meningitis due to B.anthracis is a very rare complication that may result from a primary infection elsewhere.
Safety Precaution:
Anthrax is not spreading and the spores can be washed away with soap and water. Experts suggest that any one who may have been exposed take a bath, and least thoroughly wash their hands and face.
It is possible that spores could be cried on clothing, but unlikely unless someone has many spores dumped on them.
Antibiotic can prevent this from happening when given soon enough. Doctors are giving antibiotics to peoples who have been exposed to anthrax or who may have been exposed even though they may not be infected.
Spores can only be destroyed by steam sterilization or burning. It has also been reported that boiling 100 degrees C for 30 minutes kills endospore of B.anthracis.
A wide range of antibiotic and homoeopathic Remedies can beat anthrax.
In countries where anthrax is common and vaccination levels of animals herds are low, humans should avoid contact with livestock and animal products and avoid eating meat that has not been properly slaughtered and cooked.
Homeopathic Treatment:
Anthracinum (Anthrax Poison);
We can use this medicine as a vaccine . Septic inflammation, Gland swollen, cellular tissues oeadematous and indurated . Septicemia. Ulceration, Bad effect from inhaling foul odors, Black and blue blisters. Dissecting wound. Gangrenous parotitis. Succession of boils. Foul secretion.
Arsenicum Album (Arsenic Trioxide);
This remedy acting on every organ and tissue. This is deep acting remedy. Injurious effect of food. Fear fright and worry. Degenerative changes. Septic infection and low vitality. Burning in eyes with acrid lachrymation . Thin watery excoriating discharges . Sneezing with out relief. Nausea retching vomiting after eating or drinking. Vomiting of blood , bile, green mucus or brown black mixed with blood. Liver and spleen enlarged and pain full. Dysentery dark, bloody very offensive. Air passages constricted . Suffocative catarrh . Expectoration scanty, Ulcers with offensive discharges. Anthrax poisoned wounds. Gangrenous inflammations. Septic fever.
Crotalus Horridus (Rattlesnake);
Disorganization and decomposition of blood . Violent vomiting of food, bilious vomiting, vomiting of blood. Constant nausea and vomiting. Intestinal hemorrhage . Bad effect of vaccination . Lymphangitis and septicemia . Anthrax disease .
Echinacea Rudbeckia (Purple Cone-flower);
Generally septic conditions blood poisoning . Cerebrospinal meningitis. Lymphatic inflammation . Lymphatics enlarged. Fever with chilliness and nausea.We can also inject this remedy in body. Locally use as a cleansing and antiseptic wash.
Pyrogenium (Artificial Sepsin);
Pyrogen is great remedy for septic states. In septic fever. Pyrogen has demonstrated its great value as homoeopathic dynamic antiseptic. All discharges are horribly offensive. Influenza. Nausea and vomiting. Breath horrible. In fever coldness and chilliness. septic fever, Temperature rises rapidly.
Streptoccin;
Anti febrile action septic symptoms in infectious diseases . Rapid in its action especially its in effect on temperature.
