Description of Bacillus Anthracis
This paper will address the topic of Bacillus anthracis disease. In particular, aspects such as the origin and transmission of this disease will be explored. First, it is necessary to determine the features of Bacillus anthracis and investigate the harm this disease causes to humans.
It is important to emphasize that it is a bacterial disease that has the property of progressing (Qadir, 2020). According to Qadir (2020), “anthrax is a bacterial disease of lungs and skin and progressive to severe ulceration caused by B. anthracis in humans and animals” (p. 1). It is vital to state that one of the progressions of the disease is its affectation on the digestive system (Chambers et al., 2022). It is caused by gastrointestinal anthrax disease when Bacillus anthracis is ingested (Chambers et al., 2022). After determining the disease, the following slides will display information regarding the origin and transmission of Bacillus anthracis.
Origin of Bacillus Anthracis
The approximate date of origin of Bacillus anthracis is believed to be 700 BC in Egypt and Mesopotamia (History of Anthrax, 2020). Still, other studies assume the approximate period of origin is estimated to be 11,000 years ago (Dassanayake et al., 2021). Moreover, the method of formation of this bacterium is known.
However, it is vital to note that, according to History of Anthrax (2020), “the first clinical descriptions of cutaneous anthrax were given by Maret in 1752 and Fournier in 1769” (p. 2). Later, such scientists as Robert Koch studied this bacterium profoundly. The biological agent that causes anthrax is a Gram-positive endospore (Dassanayake et al., 2021). It forms a bacilliform bacterium called Bacillus anthracis (Dassanayake et al., 2021). With further development, this disease was spread by human contact with animals, a consequence of active pastoralism.
Some views on the emergence of Bacillus anthracis differ. Though, it has been suggested that it formed as the pathogen of herbivorous mammals (Dassanayake et al., 2021). It is noteworthy that with its growth and development, Bacillus anthracis represents only a single organism; however, it has the form of long chains (Quadir, 2020). According to this view, the bacterium learned to overcome the animal’s immune system and spread its spores. Due to this effect, it is resistant and can adapt to complex environmental conditions.
Transmission of Bacillus Anthracis
After studying the principles and features of the origin of Bacillus anthracis, it will be essential to study the transmission of this disease. It is a crucial factor in the spread and increase of infection. As stated earlier in the presentation, the Bacillus anthracis has spores that can be spread through space. Moreover, these spores can adapt to any environment and survive for a long time (Quadir, 2020).
Consequently, this factor affects the transmission abilities of Bacillus anthracis. The disease of infection in contact with spores can be caused in both humans and animals (Quadir, 2020). For this, it is enough to inhale or ingest spores.
However, it is important to note that one of the most common methods of transmission of Bacillus anthracis disease for humans is contact with animals. In the case that the animal is infected with this bacterium, the risk of transmission is high. As Qadir (2020) states, “The major source of transfer of spores is contact with other infected individuals, for example, wool, hair, the habitat of infected animals” (p. 1). Therefore, it must be emphasized that infection can occur not only from the animals themselves but also from contact with various parts of the animal. In addition, one of the modern types of transmission of Bacillus anthracis is through drags and injections.
References
Chambers, J., Yarrarapu, S. N., & Mathai, J. K. (2022). Anthrax infection. StatPearls Publishing.
Dassanayake, M., Khoo, T., & An, J. (2021). Antibiotic resistance modifying ability of phytoextracts in anthrax biological agent Bacillus anthracis and emerging superbugs: A review of synergistic mechanisms. Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials, 20(79), 1-36. Web.
History of Anthrax. (2020). CDC. Web.
Qadir, M. I. (2020). Bacterial Diseases. Bentham Science Publishers.