Cutaneous anthrax in Turkey: a review of 32 cases.
Anthrax, caused by the Gram-positive, rod-shaped, spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis, is rarely seen in industrialized nations but is common in developing countries. Cutaneous anthrax accounts for 95% of cases and usually develops on exposed sites. This study reviews the clinical and laboratory findings of 32 patients diagnosed with cutaneous anthrax over a 4-y period in the eastern part of Turkey. All patients had a history of direct contact with infected animals. The patients, aged 6-72 y, comprised 17 (53%) males and 15 (47%) females. The most frequent localization site of skin lesions was the hands and fingers (31 patients), whereas the suborbital part of the face was invaded in 1 patient. The diagnosis was made as a result of typical clinical lesions, direct microscopy or bacterial isolation. All but 2 patients were successfully treated with penicillin; these other 2 patients were treated initially with sulbactam-ampicillin. All patients, including the patient with suborbital anthrax, were cured.
Oncül
O
O
Department of Infectious Diseases, Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Haydarpaşa Training Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. oraloncul@hotmail.com
Ozsoy
M F
MF
Gul
H C
HC
Koçak
N
N
Cavuslu
S
S
Pahsa
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000881:Anthrax / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001408:Bacillus anthracis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D010406:Penicillins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012424:Rural Population; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010406:Penicillins