02/11/2023
ANTRAX (Synopsis)
An infection caused by a bacterium known as bacillus anthracis. There are different kinds of anthrax
1. Cutaneous
This results from entering of endospores through the skin if there are any cuts. This mostly affects farmers that take care of animals
2. Inhalation
Results from inhalation of endospores especially in factories that process wool. The inhaled endospores germinate just like the way a seed germinates. Once germinated they start producing toxins which results into inflammation, internal bleeding and also tissue damage.
3. Gastrointestinal
This comes as a result of eating infected meat. So one would wonder how cooked meat would still cause an infection. Here is the reason; Endospores of bacillus anthracis are Heat-resistant and more likely to survive cooking and start growing again (germinate) when the food is cooled gradually over an extended period of time.