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Anthrax in children: a long forgotten, potentially fatal infection
Insights
Four pediatric cutaneous anthrax cases in Greece included one fatal meningitis complication. Early diagnosis of atypical anthrax lesions is crucial to prevent severe outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Anthrax morbidity in northern Greece has been documented in recent years.
- Cutaneous anthrax is a significant zoonotic disease with potential for severe complications.
Observation:
- Four cases of cutaneous anthrax in children aged 10-13 years occurred in 1977.
- Two cases presented with atypical cutaneous lesions, posing diagnostic challenges.
- One 13-year-old girl developed fatal anthrax meningitis despite intensive antibiotic and corticosteroid treatment.
Findings:
- This case represents the first reported pediatric anthrax meningitis in Greece and the third in 15 years.
- Atypical cutaneous anthrax presentations can complicate early diagnosis.
- Aggressive treatment did not prevent mortality in the complicated meningitis case.
Implications:
- Highlights the diagnostic difficulties associated with atypical cutaneous anthrax.
- Emphasizes the critical need for prompt diagnosis and treatment to avert severe complications like meningitis.
- Underscores the potential severity and fatality of anthrax meningitis in children, even with treatment.
Abstract:
After a brief account of anthrax morbidity in northern Greece in recent years, 4 cases in 1977 of cutaneous anthrax in 10 to 13-year-old children are presented. Two had an atypical cutaneous lesion. In 1 of these, a 13-year-old girl, the disease was complicated by severe, eventually fatal meningitis. Death ensued despite intensive treatment with high doses of penicillin and hydrocortisone. This case is the first report of anthrax meningitis in a child in Greece and the third reported in the last 15 years. We stress the diagnostic difficulties in atypical cases of cutaneous anthrax and the need for early diagnosis and treatment to avoid spread of infection and appearance of complications such as the usually fatal meningitis.