Malignant anthrax

Short characteristic of a disease

The malignant anthrax belongs to the category of infectious diseases from group of zoonoz. It is characterized by defeat of the lymphatic device, fever, organism intoxications. Most often the malignant anthrax proceeds in a skin form, is much more rare - in pulmonary, intestinal and septic. In the western literature the malignant anthrax has other name – углевик (anthrax) which she received for emergence of characteristic ulcerations and the black plaque covering sores on a body.

The malignant anthrax is regularly found in the countries of Africa, Asia, Latin and South America. In the territory of Russia the activator of a malignant anthrax most often proves in Stavropol Krai, the Belgorod, Kursk, Voronezh, Rostov and Kirov regions, in Tatarstan and the Chechen republic, that is, in regions with the developed livestock industry. The person catches or directly from the most animal, or from his wool and a skin.

Let's notice also that in comparison with the middle of the 20th century the number of cases of a malignant anthrax constantly decreases. The large role in positive dynamics is played by the correct prevention of a malignant anthrax and toughening of sanitary and hygienic requirements at the enterprises which are engaged in cultivation of the cattle. Annually in our country about 50 cases of infection with a malignant anthrax are noted and practically all from them have professional character as the people working with animals most often get sick. And one more important point: at those enterprises where the special vaccine is used, the malignant anthrax comes to light extremely seldom that once again speaks to us about importance of development of modern drugs against dangerous infections.

Activator of a malignant anthrax

The malignant anthrax begins to develop owing to activity of an aerobic stick. This motionless, but quite large microorganism has the chopped-off edges and is capable to remain long time out of a carrier body. Sheep, goats, cattle and pigs act as sources of infection. As a rule, the malignant anthrax at the person appears after direct skin contacts with animals during cutting of hulks or processing of skins, however, the disease can be brought also at consumption of the infected food stuffs or waters.

Symptoms of a malignant anthrax and clinical picture

Symptoms of a malignant anthrax are shown during from 2 to 14 days. In most cases the infection affects skin of the person therefore the first symptoms of a malignant anthrax can be seen on open body parts. The clinical picture of a malignant anthrax looks as follows:

• at first on skin there are small spots which are similar to stings of insects and quite strongly itch;
• within 2-3 days skin near the place of penetration of the activator is considerably condensed. The itch during this period amplifies and quite often turns into strong burning. Specks also change and transformed to the vesicles filled with blood and serous contents;
• as patients comb pruritic places, on the surface of skin black sores are formed. From this point it is rather accurately possible to establish that at the person malignant anthrax which symptoms are characterized not only emergence of educations on skin, but also rise in temperature, disorder of appetite and a headache develops;
• after opening of a vesicle of edge of a sore begin to swell up a little and form hypostasis. It very quickly extends, occupying healthy sites and promoting formation of secondary bubbles. This process lasts 5-6 days;
• having reached the sizes of 8-15 mm, the malignant anthrax gets characteristic symptoms of an anthrax: the black center, a purulent border around it, a crimson oval in the place of secondary defeats.

If the diagnosis of a malignant anthrax was made in time and to the patient appointed adequate treatment, in 5-6 days after emergence of an anthrax the condition of the patient is normalized: it reduces temperature, hypostasis decreases, the lymphangitis dies away and overall health improves. Wounds on skin slowly begin to live, however, after them there is well distinguishable hem. If the malignant anthrax at the person proceeds with complications, then development of secondary sepsis, sharp rise in body temperature, increase of tachycardia and strengthening of headaches is possible. The secondary pustules which are formed in the absence of treatment promote disturbances in work of the vital systems that can lead to a lethal outcome.

Except damages of skin, the malignant anthrax influences also other bodies. Symptoms of a malignant anthrax of an intestinal form are characterized by severe toxicosis of a disease, abdominal pains, a bloody diarrhea and vomiting. If not to take a measure, the patient perishes from the accruing heart failure in 4-5 days after emergence of the first symptoms of a disease. The pulmonary malignant anthrax which symptoms demonstrate defeat of respiratory system develops even quicker. At patients all symptoms of heavy intoxication of an organism which lead to death for 2-3 days after lungs begin to refuse are observed.

Treatment of a malignant anthrax and forecasts of recovery

Irrespective of an infection form, treatment of a malignant anthrax includes obligatory reception of specific globulin and antibiotics. Due to antibiotic treatment it is possible to reduce quantity of lethal outcomes from a skin malignant anthrax to 10-20%. In case of a pulmonary form the situation is absolutely differently. The malignant anthrax develops too quickly and often leads to critical changes long before the correct diagnosis is made. The intestinal malignant anthrax at the person completely recovers in 50% of the registered cases. The remained patients either die, or become disabled people.

Prevention of a malignant anthrax

Prevention of a malignant anthrax plays an important role in the prevention of development of an infection and reduction of quantity of lethal outcomes. If to the person the vaccine is made, the malignant anthrax proceeds much easier and never leads to deaths. Except vaccination, it is necessary to reveal sick animals in time, to completely destroy their meat and a skin, to disinfect the equipment and tools to which they contacted.