bovis - Articles
Bacillus anthracis
Introduction
Classification
Taxonomy
- Phylum: firmicutes.
- Class: bacilli.
- Order: bacillales.
- Family: bacillaceae.
- Genus: bacillus.
- Species: anthracis.
Etymology
- Bacillus from Latin meaning ‘small-rod’.
- Anthracis is derived from the Greek word for coal because of the characteristic black skin lesions caused by infection with the bacteria.
Distribution
- Worldwide (except the Arctic and Antarctica).
- Regarded as endemic in Southern Africa, Central Asia, the Indian sub-continent and some areas of China/USA/South America. Anthrax Anthrax: the disease outbreaks in Europe are usually sporadic (more common in southern Europe). Bacillus anthracis can sporulate in any climate with environmental temperatures above 9°C and below 45°C.
- Present in soil where contamination has occurred from infected carcasses. This is because when an animal dies from Anthrax vegetative, Bacillus anthracis cells are shed into the environment. This facilitates the persistence of this organism within the environment.
Significance
- High fatality rate following infection in cattle.
- Last case in the UK was in October 2015.
- Zoonotic Zoonotic, particularly following contact with contaminated carcasses or animal products.
- The bacteria produce potent toxins.
Active Forms
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Resting Forms
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Clinical Effects
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Diagnosis
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Further Reading
Publications
Refereed Papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
- Muller J, Gwozdz J, Hodgeman R, Ainsworth C, Kluver P, Czarnecki J, Warner S & Fegan M (2015) Diagnostic performance characteristics of a rapid field test for anthrax in cattle. Prev Vet Med 120 (3-4), 277-82 PubMed.
- Beyer W & Turnbull P C (2009) Anthrax in animals. Mol Aspects Med (6), 481-9 PubMed.
- Ndiva Mongoh M, Dyer N W, Stoltenow C L, Hearne R & Khaitsa M L (2008) A review of management practices for the control of anthrax in animals: the 2005 anthrax epizootic in North Dakota--case study. Zoonoses Public Health 55 (6), 279-90 PubMed.
- Ndiva Mongoh M, Hearne R & Khaitsa M L (2008) Private and public economic incentives for the control of animal diseases: the case of anthrax in livestock. Transbound Emerg Dis 55 (8), 319-28 PubMed.
- Siamudaala V M, Bwalya J M, Munang'andu H M, Sinyangwe P G, Banda F, Mweene A S, Takada A & Kida H (2006) Ecology and epidemiology of anthrax in cattle and humans in Zambia. Jpn J Vet Res 54 (1), 15-23 PubMed.
- Hugh-Jones M E & de Vos V (2002) Anthrax and wildlife. Rev Sci Tech 21 (2), 359-83 PubMed.
Other sources of information
- Waine K, Busin V & Strugnell B (2019) Getting the Most out of On-Farm Post-Mortems: A Guide for Veterinary Surgeons. AHDB, UK. Website: https://ahdb.org.uk.
Organisation(s)
- OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health).