The only permanent pathogen within the genus bacillus

3. BACILLUS ANTHRACIS
Bacillus means little rod and
anthracis means coal . So bacillus
anthracis is a rod shaped bacteria .

4. MORPHOLOGY
 A Large
 Aerobic culture
 Spore forming
 Gram positive
 Rod shaped microorganism
 Capsule
 Non motile
 Microorganism growing chain
 Non acid fast

5. CULTURE CHARACTERISTICS
On Blood agar, the colonies are nonhemolytic
A selective medium [PLET Medium] consisting of
Polmyxin, Lysozyme, Ethylene Diamine Tetra
acetic acid [EDTA] and thallons acatate added to
heart infusion agar has been to isolate B anthracis
from mixture containing other spore bearing
bacilli.

6. COLONY CHARACTERISTICs
Rapidly – growing colonies 2-5mm overnight at 35c
.Non-pigmented dry ground glass surface. Flat or
slightly convex irregular edges with comma
projections [Medusa head] sticky[Tenacious]
consistency… colonies are not hemolytic on sheep
blood agar

8. DIAGNOSIS:
Gram staining[gram positive]
Test of infected skin/skin sores
Blood testing
CT scans and chest x –ray
Lumbar puncture[Spinal tap]
Endoscopic of the intestine and throat

11. SYMPTOMS
Fever and chills
 Chest discomfort
 Shortness of breath
 Confusion of dizziness
Cough
 Nausea, vomiting or stomach pain
 Headache
 Sweats

12. TREATMENT
Cutaneous /gastrointestianl anthrax
 Ciprofloxacin, penicilin or doxycycline are
the drugs of choice, usually given for 7-10 days.
The duration of therapy for gastrointestinal
anthrax is not well defined.
If the case is associated with a bio- terrorist
attacking involving aerosolised anthrax where
the risk in high, ciprofloxacin or doxycycline are
recommended and should be given for at least to
days.