NRT Quick Reference Guide: Bacillus anthracis (Causes Anthrax)

Details

• Corporate Authors:
  National Response Team (U.S.)
• Description:
  1. Agent Classification: Biological; Type: Bacteria (Bacillus anthracis), multiple strains. Description: Bacillus anthracis is a rod-shaped (1.0-1.2 micrometers wide by 3-5 micrometers long), Gram-positive, sporulating bacterium that causes the disease anthrax. B. anthracis spores, which are the infectious form of the agent, are present in U.S. soils and sporadically cause anthrax outbreaks in wild and domestic animals (primarily hoofed herbivores) and, in rare instances, human cases can occur. The predominant forms of anthrax are inhalation, gastrointestinal, and cutaneous. Inhalation anthrax is the most lethal form of anthrax, while cutaneous anthrax is the most common form and is considered the least hazardous to humans who receive proper medical treatment. These presentations can occur in humans following intentional release scenarios or natural sources of exposure (contact with/consumption of infected animals/tissues or contaminated soil/water). B. anthracis spore preparations can be modified to increase infectivity and lethality with characteristics including, but not limited to, optimized particle size and low electrostatic charge. B. anthracis spores are very resistant to environmental factors including physical and chemical inactivation and can persist in the environment for an extensive period of time (years to decades), especially if protected from exposure to sunlight. Re-aerosolization of B. anthracis spores is an important consideration for continued human exposure and dispersal of spores. 2. Exposure Routes: Anthrax may occur when B. anthracis spores enter the body, typically through the skin, lungs, or gastrointestinal system. When this occurs, the spores germinate and multiply as "vegetative" bacteria. These multiplying bacteria can spread throughout the body, produce toxins (poisons), and cause severe illness. Inhalation: Breathing in B. anthracis spores may cause inhalation anthrax. Inhalation anthrax starts primarily in the lymph nodes in the chest before spreading throughout the rest of the body, usually leading to severe breathing problems and shock. Ingestion: Ingesting products that are contaminated with B. anthracis spores may cause gastrointestinal anthrax. Once ingested, B. anthracis spores can infect the upper gastrointestinal tract (throat and esophagus) and lower gastrointestinal tract (stomach and intestines). Dermal: Dermal exposure to B. anthracis spores may cause cutaneous anthrax when the spores enter through irritated skin or wounds (e.g., cuts, scrapes, micro-abrasions), such as when handling infected animals or contaminated animal products like meat, wool, skin/hides (including leather), or hair. Cutaneous anthrax lesions are most common on the head, neck, forearms, and hands. Injection: Injection anthrax has been identified in people who inject anthrax-contaminated heroin (with infection at needle injection site, deep under skin, or in muscle) in northern Europe; as of 2020, it has not been reported in U.S. 3. Health Effects: The clinical form of anthrax depends on how B. anthracis spores enter the body. Time-to-symptom onset, rate of illness progression, and illness severity are dependent upon variables such as exposure route, co-morbidities, and the number of spores that germinate and multiply to produce toxins in the body. Note: If used for intentional releases by terrorists or other criminals, B. anthracis spores would likely be grown, concentrated, dried, and milled into a powder of fine particles and disseminated into the air. People who are exposed can inhale those particles into their lungs. Particle size and other characteristics of the spores can affect how they are deposited within a person's upper or lower respiratory system and their potential for causing severe disease. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Communicable Diseases Environmental Exposure Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Infectious diseases; Bacterial infections; Anthrax; Infectious agents; Health effects; Bioaerosols; Exposure methods; Environmental exposure
• Publisher:
  The U.S. National Response Team (NRT)
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Handbooks
• Place as Subject:
  District of Columbia ; Georgia ; OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 4
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  EPRO - Emergency Preparedness and Response Office
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1-11
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20065812
• Citation:
  Washington, DC: The U.S. National Response Team (NRT), 2022 Feb; :1-11
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2022
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  NRT Quick Reference Guide: bacillus anthracis (causes Anthrax)
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:773b29b5e36070b261c65d1e438cb1e4a601dc2b1fd4836a8b1d0b43f434b16b73ddad6543db040715b73c7ca2e28fa6321eca922fa80e4804b8e93a3386acf2
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/248931/cdc_248931_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 292.25 KB ]