Inhalational anthrax

Abstract

Inhalational anthrax is a lethal infection acquired from the inhalation of Bacillus anthracis, a pathogen classified as a Category A bioterrorist agent by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The recent 2001 attack in which weaponized spores were delivered by mail to several US cities exposed our vulnerability to bioterrorism, and taught us important lessons in the timely diagnosis of this devastating disease. It is clear that patient mortality is significantly decreased by early recognition and immediate administration of antibiotic therapy. Unfortunately, the nonspecific clinical presentation is often misinterpreted as a flu-like illness and confirmatory microbiologic tests may take up to 24 hours. Radiologic manifestations, however, are distinctive and may prove essential in directing appropriate clinical care in the critical early hours of inhalational anthrax.