The Endospore-Forming Bacteria Bacillus anthracis and its Characteristics
The endospore-forming bacteria Bacillus anthracis is responsible for the anthrax disease. The bacteria has a rod structure, and it makes oval-shaped spores. It measures 3 micrometers in length and 1.0 micrometers in breadth. It is extremely tough and can tolerate harsh chemical treatments, low nutrition environments, and extreme temperatures.
Strains of Bacillus anthracis
The Sterne strain (34f2), Vollum strain, Anthrax 836 strain, Ames strain, and H9401 are among the Bacillus anthracis strains that are currently recognized. Some strains, including the Vollum 1B strain, the Ames strain, and the Anthrax 836 strain, have previously been employed as biological weapons by nations including the UK, the US, Iraq, and the USSR (Spencer, 2003).
Types of Anthrax Disease
The different strains result into four types of anthrax disease which include gastrointestinal, injection, cutaneous, and inhalation anthrax.
Transmission of Bacillus anthracis
Bacillus anthracis mostly affects animals, especially grazing herbivores, and is transmitted to human beings through contact with infected animals or animal products. Consumption of infected animal products leads to the transmission of the bacterium to human beings.
The bacterium can also be transmitted through inhalation of air contaminated with anthrax spores. Besides, Bacillus anthracis can be transmitted to healthy people through a biological weapon which releases it to the target population. The Bacillus anthracis cannot be found in healthy individuals as the bacterium cannot hibernate or remain dormant in the human body without manifesting itself. However, it can be found naturally in agricultural regions such as sub-Saharan Africa, Central and South America, Southern Europe, and the Carribean. The bacterium is not contagious hence a person cannot catch it like the flu.
Prevention and Treatment
The Bacillus anthracis is prevented through vaccination, and the anthrax disease is treated using antibiotics (Cote & Welkos, 2015). There are both animal and human vaccines. The Sterne attenuated spore vaccine is used in animals, while different vaccines are used in humans.
References
Cote, C. K., & Welkos, S. L. (2015). Anthrax toxins in context of Bacillus anthracis spores and spore germination. Toxins, 7(8), 3167-3178.
Spencer, R. C. (2003). Bacillus anthracis. Journal of clinical pathology, 56(3), 182-187.
