Table 2 Various forms of clinical presentation of Anthrax

Injectional anthrax

Injectional anthrax is a new clinical form of anthrax wherein the injection site infects soft tissue, resulting in septicemia and cytotoxicity. Abnormal symptoms include gas gangrene, necrotizing soft tissue infections, and severe cellulitis

Cutaneous anthrax

Most of the lesions appear on exposed body parts such as the arms, hands, neck, and face during the 2–7-day (range 1–19 days) incubation period. A lesion generally begins as a painful papule and, in 2–4 days, develops into a ring of vesicles encircled by erythema and edema. Certain lesions have the potential to be severe and chronic. When the lesions are on the face and neck, there may be significant edema and toxemia. Regardless of the course of treatment, the eschar’s creation and remission may take two to six weeks

Inhalation anthrax

This clinical manifestation is uncommon but typically associated with industrial exposure. Despite the medical care available, more than 80% fatality rate is being recorded. Initial symptoms are nonspecific and include lethargy, mild fever, myalgia, malaise, nonproductive cough, and minor abdomen or chest pain after an incubation period of one to seven days. As the illness worsens, cyanosis, dyspnea, toxemia, and a high temperature are common symptoms. One common finding of anthrax inhalation is described as the widening of the mediastinum. Up to 50% of people experience meningitis as a side effect. Inhalation anthrax could mimic community-acquired pneumonia as well as several lung disorders

Gastrointestinal anthrax

After consuming contaminated food or beverages containing B. anthracis, the illness develops 3–7 days later. The bacteria can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. The wall of the cecum or terminal ileum is where the lesions most frequently appear. Gastrointestinal anthrax manifests as fever, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and anorexia. Acute abdominal pain, hematemesis, bloody diarrhea, and immense ascites are among the symptoms that worsen as the infection progresses. Toxemia and shock follow, which ultimately causes death

Oropharyngeal anthrax

Oropharyngeal anthrax is characterized by dysphagia, fever, hoarseness, sore throat, soft tissue edema, painful regional lymphadenopathy, and neck swelling