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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffAnthrax spores are formed by bacteria that occur naturally in soil in most parts of the world. The spores can remain dormant for years until they find their way into a host — usually wild or domestic livestock, such as sheep, cattle, horses, goats and camels. Although rare in the United States, anthrax is still common throughout the developing world, especially sub-Saharan Africa.
Most human cases of anthrax occur as a result of exposure to infected animals or their meat or hides. In the United States, a few people have developed anthrax while making traditional African drums from the skins of infected animals.
One of the few known instances of non-animal transmission occurred in the United States in 2001 when 22 people developed anthrax after being exposed to spores sent through the mail. Five of those who were infected died.
- Anthrax. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/dfbmd/disease_listing/anthrax_gi.html. Accessed March 23, 2009.
- Anthrax Q & A: Anthrax & influenza. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/anthrax/faq/flu.asp. Accessed March 23, 2009.
- Anthrax Q & A: Vaccination. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/anthrax/faq/vaccination.asp. Accessed March 23, 2009.
- Shadomy SV, et al. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of anthrax. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 23, 2009.
- Shadomy SV, et al. Treatment and prevention of anthrax. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 23, 2009.
- Anthrax Q & A: Diagnosis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/anthrax/faq/diagnosis.asp. Accessed March 23, 2009.
- Anthrax. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/cber/vaccine/anthrax.htm. Accessed March 23, 2009.
- Questions and answers about anthrax. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/anthrax/faq/index.asp. Accessed March 23, 2009.
- Manano N, et al. Effects of a reduced dose schedule and intramuscular administration of anthrax vaccine adsorbed on immunogenicity and safety at 7 months: A retrospective study. JAMA. 2008;300:1532.
- Inhalation anthrax associated with dried animal hides - Pennsylvania and New York City, 2006. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5510a4.htm. Accessed March 30, 2009.
- Meyer MA. Neurologic complications of anthrax: A review of the literature. Archives of Neurology. 2003;60:483.
- Anthrax Q and A: Preventive therapy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/anthrax/faq/preventive.asp. Accessed March 29, 2009.
