Pathophysiology of anthrax.
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.
Frankel
Arthur E
AE
Scott and White Memorial Hospital, Temple, TX, USA. afrankel@swmail.sw.org
Kuo
Shu-Ru
SR
Dostal
David
D
Watson
Linley
L
Duesbery
Nicholas S
NS
Cheng
Che-Ping
CP
Cheng
Heng Jie
HJ
Leppla
Stephen H
SH
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
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; C030325:anthrax toxin