Anthrax (Bacillus ssp.)
2025 Case Definition

Clinical Description

Usually presents as a pneumonia that may be accompanied by hemoptysis or pleural effusion. Unlike inhalation anthrax, mediastinal widening is not common. Non-specific symptoms include fever or chills, cough, dyspnea, and hemoptysis. Lung sounds are often abnormal.

Additional considerations:

1) Signs of systemic involvement from the dissemination of either the bacteria and/or its toxins can occur with all types of anthrax and include fever or hypothermia, tachycardia, tachypnea, hypotension, and leukocytosis. One or more of these signs are usually present in patients with ingestion anthrax, inhalation anthrax, injection anthrax, and welder’s anthrax and may be present in up to a third of patients with cutaneous anthrax.
2) Anthrax meningitis: may complicate any form of anthrax and may also be a primary manifestation. Primary symptoms include fever, headache (which is often described as severe), nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. Meningeal signs (e.g., meningismus), altered mental status, and other neurological signs such as seizures or focal signs are usually present. Most patients with anthrax meningitis have CSF abnormalities consistent with bacterial meningitis, and is often described as hemorrhagic.

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