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Diagnosis and treatment of anthrax
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Diagnosis of anthrax
Laboratory diagnostics of anthrax primarily involves isolating the pathogen. For microscopic examination, the contents of the pustule, pus, material from the carbuncle, blood, urine, sputum, feces, vomit are taken, and for autopsy - pieces of organs or whole organs. Microscopy can be combined with luminescent-serological analysis. To increase the probability of isolating cultures and to facilitate their identification, nutrient media are seeded with pathological material and experimental animals are infected.
Treatment of anthrax
The main means of action against the causative agent of anthrax are antibiotics in combination with anti-anthrax immunoglobulin.
Of the antibiotics, penicillin, ceporin, cephalosporin, azithromycin, levomycetin, and gentamicin are used in age-appropriate doses.
Prevention of anthrax
Preventive measures against anthrax are aimed at preventing contact with sick animals and contaminated products and raw materials of animal origin.
Active immunization is carried out according to epidemiological indications for people aged 14 to 60 years. The anthrax vaccine STI is used, live dry, which is administered either cutaneously, 2 drops at a time, or subcutaneously, 0.5 ml (vaccine for cutaneous use, diluted 100 times) twice with an interval of 20-30 days and with subsequent revaccination after 12 months.
Emergency prophylaxis of anthrax is carried out in the first 5 days for all persons after contact with infected material by prescribing antibiotics (phenoxymethylpenicillin, tetracycline, ampicillin, doxycycline, rifampicin) in doses corresponding to age for 5 days. In addition, anti-anthrax immunoglobulin is administered to adults - 12 ml, to children - 5-8 ml. These persons are placed under medical observation for 8-9 days.
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