Abstract | BACKGROUND: Incidence of anthrax is diminishing in developed countries; however, it remains a public health problem in developing countries, especially those whose main source of income is farming. METHODOLOGY: Charts of patients hospitalized between 1992 and 2008 in the Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Department of Ankara Numune Education and Research Hospital were reviewed. RESULTS: Fifty-eight cases with cutaneous anthrax were reviewed. The mean age was 49.8, and 36.2% were female. The most common professions were farmers (62%), butchers (19%), and housewives (15%). The mean incubation period was eight days. Most cases (62%) were exposed to bacteria when butchering sick animals. Eighteen patients used an antibiotic before admission to hospital (31%). The predominantly affected sites were hands (39%) and fingers (29%), followed by forearms (12%), eyelids (7%) and necks (3%). All cases initially had painless ulcers with vesicles; dissemination of the lesion was seen in 27.5% of patients. Gram stain was positive in 11 cases; culture was positive in 7 cases for Bacillus anthracis. All patients except one were discharged and treated with penicillin and/or ciprofloxacin or imipenem. One patient with a disseminated lesion on the neck died even though a steroid was used with the antibiotic. CONCLUSIONS:
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Authors | Nurcan Baykam, Onder Ergonul, Aysegul Ulu, Sebnem Eren, Aysel Celikbas, Mustafa Eroglu, Basak Dokuzoguz |
Journal | Journal of infection in developing countries
(J Infect Dev Ctries)
Vol. 3
Issue 8
Pg. 599-603
(Sep 15 2009)
ISSN: 1972-2680 [Electronic] Italy |
PMID | 19801802
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Anti-Infective Agents
- Penicillins
- Ciprofloxacin
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Topics |
- Anthrax
(diagnosis, drug therapy, epidemiology, pathology)
- Anti-Infective Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Ciprofloxacin
(therapeutic use)
- Developing Countries
- Drug Therapy, Combination
- Female
- Humans
- Incidence
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Penicillins
(therapeutic use)
- Skin Diseases, Bacterial
(diagnosis, drug therapy, epidemiology, pathology)
- Staining and Labeling
- Turkey
(epidemiology)
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