First reported case of naturally acquired fatal anthrax from Northeast India

Autor: Nitish Garg, Kakhangchung Panmei
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2018
Předmět:
Zdroj: Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Vol 7, Iss 3, Pp 632-634 (2018)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2249-4863
DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_111_18
Popis: 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.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals
Nepřihlášeným uživatelům se plný text nezobrazuje