First reported case of naturally acquired fatal anthrax from Northeast India
Anthrax is a zoonotic disease and is caused by Bacillus anthracis which is a Gram-positive, nonmotile, spore-forming rod, found in soil. The spores can remain viable for decades. Transmission occurs naturally in humans by direct contact with infected animals or the contaminated animal products. Anth...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2018-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.jfmpc.com/article.asp?issn=2249-4863;year=2018;volume=7;issue=3;spage=632;epage=634;aulast=Garg |
| _version_ | 1819066317457588224 |
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| author | Nitish Garg Kakhangchung Panmei |
| author_facet | Nitish Garg Kakhangchung Panmei |
| author_sort | Nitish Garg |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Anthrax is a zoonotic disease and is caused by Bacillus anthracis which is a Gram-positive, nonmotile, spore-forming rod, found in soil. The spores can remain viable for decades. Transmission occurs naturally in humans by direct contact with infected animals or the contaminated animal products. Anthrax is a major health problem in eastern and southern India, with a significant human incidence because the disease is poorly controlled. Here, we discuss such a case of naturally occurring fatal anthrax in North-East India. A 48-year-old man from Assam presented with seizures, hematemesis, and fever. Apart from altered mental status and nonreactive pupils, his cutaneous and systemic examination was unremarkable. Noncontrast computed tomography head showed multiple hemorrhages. Blood and cerebrospinal fluid showed heavy growth of anthrax Bacilli. He was started on specific antibiotics after the reports, but unfortunately, the patient succumbed to infection. Due to high prevalence of anthrax in the endemic regions, a high degree of suspicion is required to clinch the diagnosis. Early initiation of therapy before developing the intracranial hemorrhagic complications might result in a better outcome. Careful history for a possible exposure to animal carcass or a suspected animal death due to anthrax will also help in early diagnosis of the disease and effective therapy. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T16:00:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f356f6df80264f2c9412c45fc735bacd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2249-4863 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T16:00:26Z |
| publishDate | 2018-01-01 |
| publisher | Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care |
| spelling | doaj.art-f356f6df80264f2c9412c45fc735bacd2022-12-21T18:58:01ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsJournal of Family Medicine and Primary Care2249-48632018-01-017363263410.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_111_18First reported case of naturally acquired fatal anthrax from Northeast IndiaNitish GargKakhangchung PanmeiAnthrax is a zoonotic disease and is caused by Bacillus anthracis which is a Gram-positive, nonmotile, spore-forming rod, found in soil. The spores can remain viable for decades. Transmission occurs naturally in humans by direct contact with infected animals or the contaminated animal products. Anthrax is a major health problem in eastern and southern India, with a significant human incidence because the disease is poorly controlled. Here, we discuss such a case of naturally occurring fatal anthrax in North-East India. A 48-year-old man from Assam presented with seizures, hematemesis, and fever. Apart from altered mental status and nonreactive pupils, his cutaneous and systemic examination was unremarkable. Noncontrast computed tomography head showed multiple hemorrhages. Blood and cerebrospinal fluid showed heavy growth of anthrax Bacilli. He was started on specific antibiotics after the reports, but unfortunately, the patient succumbed to infection. Due to high prevalence of anthrax in the endemic regions, a high degree of suspicion is required to clinch the diagnosis. Early initiation of therapy before developing the intracranial hemorrhagic complications might result in a better outcome. Careful history for a possible exposure to animal carcass or a suspected animal death due to anthrax will also help in early diagnosis of the disease and effective therapy.http://www.jfmpc.com/article.asp?issn=2249-4863;year=2018;volume=7;issue=3;spage=632;epage=634;aulast=GargAnthraxintracranial hemorrhagemeningitisNortheast India |
| spellingShingle | Nitish Garg Kakhangchung Panmei First reported case of naturally acquired fatal anthrax from Northeast India Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care Anthrax intracranial hemorrhage meningitis Northeast India |
| title | First reported case of naturally acquired fatal anthrax from Northeast India |
| title_full | First reported case of naturally acquired fatal anthrax from Northeast India |
| title_fullStr | First reported case of naturally acquired fatal anthrax from Northeast India |
| title_full_unstemmed | First reported case of naturally acquired fatal anthrax from Northeast India |
| title_short | First reported case of naturally acquired fatal anthrax from Northeast India |
| title_sort | first reported case of naturally acquired fatal anthrax from northeast india |
| topic | Anthrax intracranial hemorrhage meningitis Northeast India |
| url | http://www.jfmpc.com/article.asp?issn=2249-4863;year=2018;volume=7;issue=3;spage=632;epage=634;aulast=Garg |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT nitishgarg firstreportedcaseofnaturallyacquiredfatalanthraxfromnortheastindia AT kakhangchungpanmei firstreportedcaseofnaturallyacquiredfatalanthraxfromnortheastindia |