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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffYour doctor will first want to rule out other, more common conditions that may be causing your signs and symptoms, such as flu (influenza) or pneumonia. You may have a rapid flu test to quickly diagnose a case of influenza. If other tests are negative, you may have further tests to look specifically for anthrax, such as:
- Skin testing. A sample of fluid from a suspicious lesion on your skin or a small tissue sample (biopsy) may be tested in a lab for signs of cutaneous anthrax.
- Blood tests. You may have a small amount of blood drawn that's checked in a lab for anthrax bacteria.
- Chest X-ray or computerized tomography (CT) scan. Your doctor may request a chest X-ray or CT scan to help diagnose inhalation anthrax.
- Endoscopy and stool samples. To diagnose intestinal anthrax, your doctor may examine your throat or intestine with an endoscope — a thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera at its tip. In some cases, a sample of your stool may be checked for anthrax bacteria.
- Spinal tap (lumbar puncture). In this test, your doctor inserts a needle into your spinal canal and withdraws a small amount of fluid. A spinal tap is usually done only to confirm a diagnosis of anthrax meningitis.
- 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.
