title: Anthrax of the lower lip.
abstract: Anthrax of the oral cavity and oropharynx is well known, whereas anthrax of the lips is very rare. We present a case of anthrax of the lower lip in a 57-year-old man. The infection was characterized by a wide, black eschar, surrounded by vesicles, crusts, and erythematous-edematous halo, with submandibular and laterocervical lymphadenopathy. The oral cavity, oropharynx, and tonsils were normal. Laboratory examinations revealed leukocytosis and increased inflammatory markers. Otolaryngologic, gastrointestinal, lung, and neurologic examinations were negative. The patient was successfully treated with oral ciprofloxacin. Although rare, anthrax should be considered in the differential clinical diagnosis in patients returning from areas where this disease is endemic.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical-Surgical Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan and Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy. Electronic address: stefano.veraldi@unimi.it.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Veraldi
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nazzaro
authors.forename: Ermira
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Çuka
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Drago
mesh_terms: D000881:Anthrax / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008047:Lip Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002939:Ciprofloxacin