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Two rare presentations of fatal anthrax: meningeal and intestinal

Maliheh Khoddami1, Fariba Shirvani, Jaleh Esmaeili

  • 1Department of Pathology, Imam Hussein Hospital, Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Mofid Hospital, Shariati Street, Tehran, Iran. malihehkhodami@yahoo.com

Archives of Iranian Medicine
|September 1, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Rare forms of anthrax, caused by Bacillus anthracis, can be fatal and difficult to diagnose. This study details two fatal cases: meningeal anthrax in an adult and intestinal anthrax in a child.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Anthrax, caused by Bacillus anthracis, is a zoonotic disease affecting both animals and humans.
  • While cutaneous anthrax is often easily diagnosed, other clinical presentations can be challenging to recognize.
  • Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and preventing fatal outcomes.

Observation:

  • This report details two rare and fatal cases of anthrax.
  • A 33-year-old male shepherd presented with symptoms of meningeal anthrax, including headache, vomiting, fever, and altered consciousness.
  • A 4-year-old boy presented with symptoms of intestinal anthrax, characterized by abdominal pain, distension, vomiting, and fever.

Findings:

  • Both presented cases of anthrax were confirmed through animal inoculation.
  • The meningeal anthrax case highlights the potential for central nervous system involvement.
  • The intestinal anthrax case underscores the severity of gastrointestinal manifestations.

Implications:

  • These cases emphasize the importance of considering anthrax in differential diagnoses, even with atypical presentations.
  • Raising awareness of rare anthrax forms is critical for healthcare professionals, especially in endemic areas.
  • Further research into the pathogenesis and diagnosis of non-cutaneous anthrax is warranted to improve patient outcomes.

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