Anthrax: A narrative review

Abstract

Bacillus anthracis is a zoonotic bacterium, majorly responsible for causing human anthrax and the possibility of the outbreak spreading globally. Herbivorous animals serve as the inherent reservoir for the disease, whereas all endothermic species are vulnerable. Humans contract the disease inadvertently by contact with diseased animals or animal products or through the consumption or handling of infected flesh. There is no such reported data indicating the transmission of anthrax from human to human, which further does not guarantee the bacterium's mutations and new transmission route. Nevertheless, it can lead to various infections, including endophthalmitis, bacteremia, cutaneous infection, central nervous system infection, and pneumonia. Therefore, it is crucial to examine the present epidemiological situation of human anthrax in densely populated nations, including the altered symptoms, indications in people, and the method of transmission. This article highlights the current diagnostic methods for human anthrax, further examines the available therapy options and future perspectives in treatment protocol. This narrative review resulted from a simple search strategy on "PubMed", "ScienceDirect", "ClinicalTrials.gov" and web reports using "AND" as Boolean operator with search keywords, i.e., "Anthrax" AND "Infection", "Anthrax" AND "Pandemic", "Anthrax" AND "Infectious disease", "Anthrax" AND "Vaccine", "Anthrax" AND "Diagnosis" shows minimal narrative literature in between 2024 and 2005. Furthermore, this narrative review highlights the potential approaches for detecting anthrax infection, establishing suitable protocols for prevention, and focusing on the current epidemiology and available therapeutics, vaccine and its future developmental strategies for the prevention of infectious disorder.

Keywords: Anthrax; Anti-microbial resistance; Diagnosis; Infectious disease; Pandemic; Travel disease.

Graphical abstract

Fig. 1

Depicted the process of B. anthracis infection from anthrax spores to infection subjects. The soil serves as the primary reservoir for the virus, which becomes contaminated through the release of spores from the carcasses of sick animals. This leads to a new cycle of infection, death, and the production of spores, further contact with the humans via infected animals or animal products.

Fig. 2

Pathophysiology of anthrax infection in human or host bodies via inhalation of spores and disease progression.

Fig. 3

Understanding of possible sign, and symptoms of anthrax infection in human due to B. anthracis bacterium.

Fig. 4

Graphical understanding of % of mortality rate of several types of anthrax infection in human, relies on the pathway by which the germs infiltrate the host.