What are the main clinical features of Anthrax?

• causes painless black eschar (cutaneous 'malignant pustule', but no pus)
• typically painless and non-tender
• may cause marked oedema
• can cause gastrointestinal bleeding

What is the management of Anthrax?

initial management of cutaneous anthrax is ciprofloxacin

What is the pathophysiology of Anthrax?

Bacillus anthracis produces a tripartite protein toxin

• protective antigen
• oedema factor: a bacterial adenylate cyclase which increases cAMP
• lethal factor: toxic to macrophages

What are the main risk factors of Anthrax?

spread by infected carcasses

What is the causative bacteria of Anthrax?

Bacillus anthracis, a Gram positive rod