Cutaneous anthrax: conservative or surgical treatment?

Abstract

This article summarizes the diagnostic features and treatment recommendations for cutaneous anthrax, exemplified by a case report of nontypical cutaneous anthrax. The treatment of choice is medical, with ciprofloxacin or doxycycline the preferred antibiotics. However, surgical biopsy may be used if the clinical setting and microbiologic examination of swabs are not diagnostically conclusive. Histopathologic findings explain the clinical observation that most cutaneous anthrax lesions heal without scar formation.

• Authors: Janusz J Godyn, Luis Reyes, Richard Siderits, Anup Hazra
• Journal: Advances in skin & wound care (Adv Skin Wound Care) Vol. 18 Issue 3 Pg. 146-50 (Apr 2005) ISSN: 1527-7941 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15840983 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Ciprofloxacin
• Doxycycline

Topics

• Anthrax (diagnosis, etiology, therapy)
• Anti-Bacterial Agents (therapeutic use)
• Biopsy
• Bioterrorism (prevention & control)
• Ciprofloxacin (therapeutic use)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Doxycycline (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Humans
• Infection Control
• Middle Aged
• New Jersey
• Patient Selection
• Skin Diseases, Bacterial (diagnosis, etiology, therapy)