Description:
The spore-forming bacterium Bacillus
anthracis is the cause of the acute and often lethal disease anthrax. The agent
was isolated and characterized by Robert Koch, who described its cultural and
morphological characteristics in detail in 1867. This organism fulfilled Koch's
postulates for the first time. While anthrax currently affects mostly livestock
and wildlife around the world, it can and does kill humans. Indeed, the great
current interest in anthrax is because of its potential as an agent of
bioterrorism and biowarfare. This article discusses the pathology,
characteristics, manifestations, and laboratory diagnosis of B. anthracis, as
well as treatment methodologies and the use of anthrax as a biological weapon.
Learning Objectives:
- Define the characteristics of B. anthracis
- Outline the pathology of B. anthracis
- Reflect on B. anthracis as a biological weapon
Author(s):
Ricarte A. Gallarte, RM, MT
Launched: 2002