Skin lesion; Anthrax

Kıratlı K., Çevik E.

4th Eurasian Congress on Emergency Medicine, Antalya, Türkiye, 13 - 16 Kasım 2014, ss.300, (Özet Bildiri)

  • Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Özet Bildiri
  • Basıldığı Şehir: Antalya
  • Basıldığı Ülke: Türkiye
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.300
  • Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Introduction: Anthrax is a rare disease cause by Bacillus anthracis, a Gram-positive, rod-shaped endospore-forming capsuled bacterium. Anthrax is manifest in three primary forms: cutaneous, respiratory, and gastrointestinal. Cutaneous anthrax accounts for approximately 95% of all cases of anthrax in humans. Here, we present a case of Cutaneous anthrax who was referred to our emergency department. Case: A 21-year-old male applied with lesions on the skin of the both legs for a period of four days. On examination, there were few painless papules and some of them had became large bullae and blackish eschar developed over the lesion. He had a history of living outside for a week. The patient had no fever. Complete blood count showed leucocyte count of 12.2 × 103/ μL and sedimentation rate was 18 mm/h. C-reactive protein was positive. The lesions were characteristic and smears from the lesions were investigated which confirmed the causative agent B. anthracis. The patient was admitted to infectious diseasea clinic with diagnosis of cutaneous anthrax. He was treated with oral Ciprofloxacin (500mg) twice daily for seven days which cured the infection as observed on his subsequent follow up visits on 7 and 14 days later. Oral Ciprofloxacin is found effective as recommended by the World Health Organizationon. Conclusion: Although the prevalence of anthrax is a decreasing worldwide, it remains a significant problem in developing countries. Rapid identification of the signs and symptoms of cutaneous anthrax is essential for effective treatment. Early supportive treatment and appropriate antimicrobial measures are necessary to address this potentially life-threatening disease.