Despite the high level of development of medicine, at present there is still a mass of pathogens that can provoke the development of infectious diseases in humans and animals . Many of them respond well to therapy, and some have to be fought for a long time. We will talk about one of these diseases - we will consider how anthrax develops. The causative agent, transmission routes, treatment of this ailment will also be covered later in the article.
What is a disease?
The aforementioned disease has been known since ancient times, for all this time it changed its name, but in Russia it received such a name because it was mainly spread in areas of Siberia. Fortunately, at present, cases of it are very rare.
Transmission anthrax has different, but in any case, it is an acute and rather dangerous infectious disease caused by the microorganism Bacillus anthracis. The development of the disease cannot be overlooked, since specific carbuncles appear on the skin of the infected person with a skin form or other pronounced symptoms.
Causes of the disease
The provocateur of infection is an optional anaerobic gram-positive bacterium. Under a microscope, it looks like a stick with chopped ends. In the oxygen environment begins to form spores.
The pathogenicity of this pathogen is determined by the presence of a capsule and the synthesis of exotoxin. The toxin that the bacterium produces is capable of exerting an inflammatory effect in the body of both humans and animals and leading to death. The effect on the body is usually manifested:
- swelling of the tissues;
- violation of tissue respiration;
- inhibition of phagocytes.
Vegetative forms of the pathogen are quite unstable in the environment, they die almost instantly when boiling or heating more than 60 degrees. But this can not be said about the spores of the body. They retain their viability in water and soil for several years, and even a few minutes of boiling do not deprive them of their ability to reproduce.
In the soil, spores can not only wait out adverse conditions, but also germinate. Transmission routes for anthrax can be different. Through the soil is one of them. Therefore, precautionary measures must be observed, especially in those areas where cases of the disease are recorded.
Sources of infection for humans
Anthrax is transmitted to humans, as already mentioned, in different ways, and this affects its clinical manifestations. Before getting to know them, let's figure out how the source of infection can get into the human body.
Transmission routes for anthrax can be as follows:
- contact household;
- airborne dust;
- food.
Let's look at each of them in more detail.
Infectious Disease Transmission
So how does the pathogen enter the human body with a diagnosis of anthrax? The transmission routes are different, but only a few are the most common. Most often infected:
- when caring for sick animals;
- if there was contact with the secretions of infected animals;
- in contact with wool, meat, skin of sick representatives of the animal world;
- as a result of contact with animal corpses;
- when using products from contaminated materials, such as hides or wool.
In this case, the gates for the penetration of infection are various injuries on the skin. After the pathogen has penetrated inside, a carbuncle is formed in this place, surrounded by bubbles with liquid. The skin that is around swells - this is the effect of the toxin released by the bacterium. It disrupts blood circulation, causing swelling and tissue death.
The causative agent begins to multiply intensively and through the lymphatic vessels can easily penetrate into the general bloodstream, and then into other tissues and organs, thereby causing their damage and malfunction.
Infection by airborne dust
But with the diagnosis of anthrax, the pathogen is transmitted to humans through the air. In this case, the gateway for infection is the respiratory tract. Disputes after ingestion are sent to the lungs. The struggle of the immune system with bacteria begins, it pushes them into the lymph nodes, whose task is to rid the body of foreign agents.
But bacterial spores also do not sleep and in the lymphatic system kill immune cells, and then freely enter the bloodstream. There, the process of their active reproduction begins, toxic substances are released, which bring severe harm to the whole body.
Literally within 7 days, microorganisms multiply so much that the vessels do not stand up and begin to bleed. Blood loss leads to impaired functioning of many important organs, which most often ends in death.
Dietary route of infection
We examined two ways of transmitting anthrax, but there is also a third - food. In this case, infection occurs if you eat the meat of an infected animal after poor heat treatment. The gate for the penetration of the pathogen in this case is the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract.
After such an infection, the cecum is most often affected. Her mucous membrane is covered with ulcers, and then begins to die. Bacterial spores are transported to the lymph nodes, and bacteremia develops.
Gradually, the number of bacteria grows in the lymphatic system, and the patient has ascites and intestinal obstruction.
Such a path of infection implies in some cases the development of pathology in the oropharynx, then you can see damage in the form of a skin ulcer at the entrance to this department.
Forms of the disease
As you have seen, a rather serious disease is anthrax. The ways of transmission of infection are different, and depending on this, a certain form of pathology develops:
- Skin form. It also has varieties:
- carbuncular;
- edematous;
- bullous.
2. The generalized form. In this case, it is observed:
- pulmonary variety;
- intestinal;
- septic.
As already mentioned, the transmission routes of anthrax determine the form of the disease. Each manifests its own symptoms and manifestations, consider them.
Signs of a skin form of the disease
It should be borne in mind that this disease has a relatively short incubation period, it can last from several hours to several days. And it doesn’t matter what anthrax the causative agent has, transmission routes, causes. After a maximum of two weeks, the disease begins to manifest its symptoms.
The skin form is the most common. On the epidermis, in the place where the infection penetrated, a spot is formed with a diameter of several millimeters, red. After a while, it turns copper-red and rises above the skin. The victim at this time is tormented by itching and a slight burning sensation.
After a few hours, the papule turns into a vesicle with serous contents, in which after a short period of time an admixture of blood is detected. If the neoplasm is combed, then the vesicle bursts and an ulcer appears with elevated edges. Secondary vesicles appear on them.
A couple of weeks pass, and a black scab appears in the center of the ulcer, gradually increasing in size. It is formed as a result of the onset of tissue necrosis.
An important sign of the disease is a loss of sensitivity in the area of the scab, an inflammatory crimson roller is formed around it. Edema appears on the periphery, which is especially pronounced in places with loose subcutaneous tissue, for example, on the face. By the way, the localization of pathology on the face is quite dangerous, since edema can affect the respiratory tract and lead to asphyxiation and death.
Already at the very beginning (regardless of what the anthrax pathogen has, transmission routes), the symptoms of the pathology are as follows:
- High body temperature.
- Strong headache.
- Intoxication of the body.
- There is an ache in the body, especially in the lumbar region.
During the disease, several carbuncles can form, their number can reach up to 10. Anthrax (transmission routes of infection do not play a role) may be moderate and severe. If ulcerations appear on the head, neck, and mouth, then the disease is most difficult and there is a risk of sepsis.
But timely therapy suggests the outcome with a skin form of the disease is quite favorable.
Symptoms of the pulmonary form
We examined the transmission of anthrax disease, among them airborne dust, in which this form of the disease develops. After the incubation period has passed, typical signs of respiratory damage can be observed. In the first period, the disease exhibits the following symptoms:
- headache;
- general malaise;
- lacrimation
- muscle pain;
- cough and runny nose;
- tachycardia;
- dyspnea.
The duration of the manifestation of such symptoms is up to 2 days, and then the disease enters its second phase - a strong intoxication of the body begins, which is manifested by an increase in temperature to 40-41 degrees. There are chest pains, chills, cough, in which sputum leaves with an admixture of blood.
If the doctor listens to the patient, then wheezing is heard, large areas of blunting of percussion sound over the lungs are formed.
In the third phase, cardiovascular failure, pulmonary edema and oliguria develop. Its duration is up to 12 hours.
You can also say about this form that it lends itself to therapy, if you start it in a timely manner.
Manifestations of the intestinal form
This type of disease is quite difficult, and there is a big risk that it will end unsuccessfully. Anthrax, the transmission routes of which we are considering, penetrates through the intestinal tract.
The first phase of the disease has a short duration - up to 36 hours and shows the following symptoms:
- headache;
- dizziness;
- sore throat;
- chills;
- high temperature.
When the first phase is replaced by the second, then abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, with an admixture of blood, diarrhea join. The feces also have streaks of blood.
The third phase is the most dangerous - there is an increase in decompensation of cardiac activity. Patients experience fear, anxiety appears. The face acquires a pink-cyanotic color. Sometimes hemorrhagic rashes form on the skin. In the intestinal cavity, fluid accumulates, which leads to an increase in the abdomen.
The infectious process gradually progresses, and patients may experience a violation of the swallowing process, bleeding, breathing problems, which may ultimately lead to death.
Symptoms of a septic form
This form of the disease is not so common and can develop as a result of the severe course of any other species. It begins due to the fact that the anthrax bacillus and its toxins are taken to circulate through the circulatory system and affect various tissues and organs. The negative impact of the pathogen and its metabolic products can lead to the development of an infectious toxic shock.
In patients with this form of pathology, the following symptoms are observed:
- Increase in body temperature to 41 degrees.
- Shortness of breath appears.
- Chills.
- The respiratory rate increases.
- There are chest pains.
- Cough with sputum and blood.
- Stomach ache.
- Nausea and vomiting, with blood.
- The stool is fluid and bloody.
If you do not take urgent measures, then everything can end badly.
Diagnosis of the disease
To make an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to go through three stages:
- Microscopic examination.
- Isolation of bacterial culture by plating on a nutrient medium.
- Biological tests on laboratory animals.
If there is anthrax, a pathogen, transmission routes from a person, it is not important for diagnosis. A blood test may show:
- Decreased white blood cell count.
- Increased lymphocytes.
- The erythrocyte sedimentation rate increases.
To make an accurate diagnosis, the following materials are examined:
- Blood.
- The contents of the carbuncle and vesicles.
- Take the separated scab.
- With pulmonary form, sputum is examined.
- If there is a suspicion of an intestinal form, then feces and vomit are examined.
Serological diagnostic methods are also used, they include: the Ascoli thermoprecipitation reaction, luminescent serological analysis, and others. Patients who are suspected of anthrax are given a skin allergy test with Anthraxin.
It must be clarified that, given the fact that anthrax is a dangerous and contagious disease, all studies are conducted in special closed laboratories.
Disease therapy
We examined the transmission of anthrax; its prevention and treatment should also be studied. Let's start with therapy, which includes the following methods:
- Infusion therapy. In this case, an infusion of intravenous solutions occurs that support and replenish the volume of intracellular and cellular fluid in the body. Solutions can be infused: colloidal (Polyglukin), crystalloid (glucose solution, Ringer's solution), blood products (Albumin, blood plasma)
- Reception of antibacterial drugs. Medications are prescribed to which the bacterium is sensitive, most often these are drugs from the penicillin group. In case of intolerance "Penicillin" is prescribed:
- "Tetracycline."
- "Ciprofloxacin."
- Levofloxacin.
- "Dicycicline."
- If the disease is severe, then glucocorticosteroids are used. This is especially true of the septic form of the disease.
3. The introduction of anti-anthrax immunoglobulin. It contains ready-made antibodies. This is done in order to create immunity to the pathogen. Immunoglobulin can be administered both for therapeutic purposes and prophylactic.
It should be noted that treatment will give its positive results if the diagnosis is made on time and adequate therapy is prescribed.
Disease prevention
We examined the transmission of anthrax, while prevention will reduce the risk of infection. It includes the following measures:
- Vaccination of people who have a high risk of infection.
- Veterinary services should regularly check pets for the presence of a pathogen.
- Vaccination of animals.
- Farm workers should be equipped with overalls: masks, bathrobes, gloves.
- Implementation of sanitary and veterinary control over the transport, storage, processing of meat products.
- Conducting health education among the population.
If we consider anti-epidemiological measures, then they include:
- Identification of infected in the early stages.
- Registration of all cases of illness and reporting to the appropriate authorities.
- Carriage by special transport, which is then subject to disinfection.
- Timely hospitalization of infected patients.
- The patient can be discharged from the hospital only after full recovery, when analyzes and studies confirm the absence of the pathogen.
- Infection carriers (meat, animals) must be destroyed.
- Identify the disease among animals and isolate them at an early stage.
- The corpses of sick animals should not just be buried, but burned.
- If a person dies from anthrax, then his body is wrapped with oilcloth, and bleach is poured on the bottom of the coffin .
Despite the fact that this disease is currently becoming less common, its cases among domestic and wild animals are periodically observed, and everyone should know what transmission routes for anthrax are in order to protect themselves from infection as much as possible. If you have livestock, then you should regularly invite veterinarians to take tests and examine the animal. This is required for your own safety.