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Anthrax laryngitis: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Along with the basic forms of anthrax (cutaneous, pulmonary and intestinal), this disease can primarily manifest as a lesion of the upper respiratory tract, including the pharynx and larynx.
Anthrax is an acute infectious disease related to especially dangerous infections, characterized by severe course, mainly skin lesions (hence its second name is malignant carbuncle) and lymphatic apparatus. Distributed in all countries of the world among animals and humans. The causative agent of the disease is B. Anthracis - a large Gram-positive fixed rod. In a living organism exists in a vegetative form, in the environment it forms extremely stable disputes. In an autoclave at 110 ° C the spores die after 40 minutes, at boiling after 10-15 minutes. Vegetative forms are not very stable, sensitive to penicillin, antibiotics of the tetracycline group, etc. After the disease, persistent immunity usually develops. Immunity of people to anthrax is provided by active immunization with their anthrax vaccine STI.
In the clinical picture of anthrax laryngitis, the generalized state and pronounced edema of the mucous membrane of the pharynx and larynx dominate. The diagnosis is based on a bacteriological study if, of course, this disease is suspected in persons who are in the nature of their activities in contact with animals and their corpses, especially in endemic foci of the disease. Lesion of the larynx is accompanied by signs of severe phlegmonous laryngitis.
Treatment of laryngitis in anthrax is carried out in infectious hospitals in wards (offices) for patients with especially dangerous infections. Immediately injected intramuscular antisubisitic gamma-globulin (by Bezredka). When the cutaneous form is prescribed antibiotics (tetracycline, penicillin, macrolides and azolides), with septic form, in addition, intravenously administered prednisolone, blood-substituting fluid, etc. In an anthrax laryngitis, there is often a need for urgent tracheotomy.
With a dermal form, the prognosis is usually favorable, with a septic one - doubtful, with pulmonary and intestinal - very serious.
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