Psychiatria pre prax 5/2001

Anthrax

Anthrax is a zoonosis, which occurs not only in herbivores but also in humans. The resistant anthrax spores inhaled precipitate a fatal disease. This ability of spore-bearing particles is misused in biological warfare and terrorism. An intentional primary aerosolization of anthrax spores poses the greatest risk to human health. The goal of the following article is to refamiliarize physicians and medical-care personnel with the current understanding of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of anthrax.

Keywords: anthrax, splenic fever, zoonosis, biological weapons, bioterrorism.