Graphical Abstract

 Graphical abstract 

Principal routes of   Bacillus anthracis   infection and stages of anthrax pathogenesis, consistent with current understandings. Depending on the route of infection, germination of spores may happen in extracellular tissue fluid, or following phagocytosis (a). Successful infection of host cells leads to toxin-associated cell death and release of vegetative cells and toxin (b). Toxin binds and enters other host cells (c), including those of the immune system, disrupting function. In some cases this leads to systemic disease, which typically is fatal.

 

Abstract

  Bacillus anthracis   has a wide host range among warm-blooded animals and causes the disease anthrax. This manifests in localized forms (skin, alimentary) and as septicaemia, the latter typically being fatal.   Bacillus anthracis   forms robust and long-lived endospores, which constitute the environmental phase of its lifecycle and are the key infective agents. Elaboration of plasmid-encoded binary toxin complex and a capsule are fundamental to pathogenicity. Epidemiology in animals is typified by prolonged environmental quiescence and acute systemic disease. Human disease is non-contagious and derives usually from contact with livestock or animal products, although military or terrorist dispersal of spores remains a threat.

Received: 13/06/2023 Accepted: 10/08/2023 Published Online: 21/08/2023

Funding

This study was supported by the: Scottish Government (Award Contract B) Principle Award Recipient: NotApplicable Llywodraeth Cymru (Award Contract B) Principle Award Recipient: NotApplicable Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, UK Government (Award Contract B) Principle Award Recipient: NotApplicable

© 2023 Crown Copyright

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/content/journal/jmm/10.1099/jmm.0.001747

2023-08-21

2023-08-22

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