title: Pathophysiology of anthrax.
abstract: Infection by Bacillus anthracis in animals and humans results from accidental or intentional exposure, by oral, cutaneous or pulmonary routes, to spores, which are normally present in the soil. Treatment includes administration of antibiotics, vaccination or treatment with antibody to the toxin. A better understanding of the molecular basis of the processes involved in the pathogenesis of anthrax namely, spore germination in macrophages and biological effects of the secreted toxins on heart and blood vessels will lead to improved management of infected animals and patients. Controlling germination will be feasible by inhibiting macrophage paralysis and cell death. On the other hand, the control of terminal hypotension might be achieved by inhibition of cardiomyocyte mitogen-activated protein kinase and stimulation of vessel cAMP.
authors.affiliation: Scott and White Memorial Hospital, Temple, TX, USA. afrankel@swmail.sw.org
authors.forename: Arthur E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Frankel
authors.forename: Shu-Ru
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dostal
authors.forename: Linley
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: Nicholas S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Duesbery
authors.forename: Che-Ping
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Heng Jie
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Stephen H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Leppla
mesh_terms: D000881:Anthrax / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000633:toxicity; D001408:Bacillus anthracis / Q000254:growth & development; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000633:toxicity; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D013171:Spores, Bacterial
chemical_list: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; C030325:anthrax toxin