Anthrax of the hand: case report

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Dermatology
• Microbiology

Background:

• Accidental parenteral inoculation is a rare but serious route of Bacillus anthracis transmission.
• Anthrax, a zoonotic disease, typically affects the skin, gastrointestinal tract, or lungs.

Observation:

• A patient presented with a localized infection of the long finger following self-injection with Bacillus anthracis.
• The patient received early empirical chemotherapy.

Findings:

• Despite the inoculation, blood and wound cultures remained negative, likely due to prompt antibiotic intervention.
• The patient experienced a localized infection that resolved with treatment, necessitating a split-thickness skin graft for wound closure.

Implications:

• This case highlights the importance of prompt medical evaluation and treatment for suspected anthrax following accidental inoculation.
• Early chemotherapy can be effective in preventing systemic spread and positive cultures in cutaneous anthrax.
• Management of complex soft tissue defects resulting from anthrax may require surgical intervention such as skin grafting.