Systemic infections usually result in the patient reaching “the point of no
return”. Among the three forms of anthrax: cutaneous, gastrointestinal, and inhalation,
the cutaneous form constitutes 95% of all reported human cases. The clinical aspects of
all three forms are presented in notable detail with illustrations. Meningeal anthrax
infections resulting in the “red Cardinal's cap” are nearly always fatal. The major known
virulence factors in anthrax include the cell-surface-associated antiphagocytic poly-Dglutamic
acid capsule, the protective antigen (PA), and the edema (ET) and lethal (LT)
toxins. Penicillin G, doxycycline, and the fluoroquinolone ciprofloxacin are considered
the drugs of choice for the treatment of anthrax.
