New insights into gastrointestinal anthrax infection

Abstract

Bacterial infections are the primary cause of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders in both developing and developed countries, and are particularly dangerous for infants and children. Bacillus anthracis is the “archetype zoonotic” pathogen; no other infectious disease affects such a broad range of species, including humans. Importantly, there are more case reports of GI anthrax infection in children than inhalational disease. Early diagnosis is difficult and widespread systemic disease develops rapidly. This review highlights new findings concerning the roles of the gut epithelia, commensal microbiota, and innate lymphoid cells in initiation of disease and systemic dissemination in animal models of GI anthrax, the understanding of which is crucial to designing alternative therapies that target establishment of infection.

Outbreak of gastrointestinal anthrax following eating beef of suspicious origin: Isingiro District, Uganda, 2017

“…The causative agent of anthrax, Bacillus anthracis, is a large, gram-positive, aerobic, spore-forming bacillus [2,3]. The infectious form of B. anthracis is usually the spores, which can remain viable in the environment for an extended period of time [1,4,5] even under extreme environmental conditions [6]. Although the global incidence has reportedly declined, cases are still common in African and Asian regions [2].…”

“…Human anthrax infections are classified into cutaneous, gastrointestinal, and inhalational disease, depending on the clinical features and transmission routes [3,7]. Human gastrointestinal anthrax occurs after ingesting meat and other products from infected animals [3,6,7,8,9]. The incubation period ranges from 1-6 days, with a median of 3 days [3,10,11,12].…”

Ca-asp bound X-ray structure and inhibition of Bacillus anthracis dihydroorotase (DHOase)

“…15 Even with treatment, the mortality rates of gastrointestinal and inhalation anthrax are >40%. 16, 17 Current treatment is focused on post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), using a combination of antibiotics and antitoxins. Unfortunately, the long term therapy recommended with antimicrobials, such as β-lactams, introduce the risk of developing resistance.…”

Listeriolysin O: A phagosome-specific cytolysin revisited

“…Bacillus anthracis is capable of causing severe disease in humans after inhalation, ingestion, or cutaneous introduction of bacterial spores. In all cases, the disease begins as a localised infection that can quickly lead to sepsis (Owen, Yang, & Mohamadzadeh, 2015). ALO plays a significant role in pathogenesis (Shannon, Ross, Koehler, & Rest, 2003).…”