title: Bichat guidelines for the clinical management of anthrax and bioterrorism-related anthrax.
abstract: The spore-forming Bacillus anthracis must be considered as one of the most serious potential biological weapons. The recent cases of anthrax caused by a deliberate release reported in 2001 in the United States point to the necessity of early recognition of this disease. Infection in humans most often involves the skin, and more rarely the lungs and the gastrointestinal tract. Inhalational anthrax is of particular interest for possible deliberate release: it is a life-threatening disease and early diagnosis and treatment can significantly decrease the mortality rate. Treatment consists of massive doses of antibiotics and supportive care. Isolation is not necessary. Antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin are recommended for post-exposure prophylaxis during 60 days.
authors.affiliation: Task Force on Biological and Chemical Agent Threats, Public Health Directorate, European Commission, Luxembourg. philippe.bossi@psl.ap-hop-paris.fr
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bossi
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tegnell
authors.forename: Agoritsa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baka
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Van Loock
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hendriks
authors.forename: Albrecht
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Werner
authors.forename: Heinrich
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Maidhof
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gouvras
mesh_terms: D000881:Anthrax / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D023482:Bioterrorism / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005060:Europe; D005062:European Union; D006801:Humans; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*