Endemic gastrointestinal anthrax in 1960s Lebanon: clinical manifestations and surgical findings.
Anthrax is an ancient disease caused by the gram-positive Bacillus anthracis; recently, it has gained much attention because of its potential use in biologic warfare. Anthrax infection occurs in three forms: cutaneous, inhalational, and gastrointestinal. The last type results from ingestion of poorly cooked contaminated meat. Intestinal anthrax was widely known in Lebanon in the 1960s, when a series of >100 cases were observed in the Bekaa Valley. We describe some of these cases, introduce the concept of the surgical management of advanced intestinal anthrax, and describe some of the approaches for treatment.
Division of Infectious Diseases, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Hamra 110, 32090 Beirut, Lebanon.
Zeina A
ZA
Kanafani
Antoine
A
Ghossain
Ala I
AI
Sharara
Joseph M
JM
Hatem
Souha S
SS
Kanj
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000881:Anthrax / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001408:Bacillus anthracis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002648:Child; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D007861:Lebanon / Q000453:epidemiology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents