Sporadic human cutaneous anthrax outbreak in Shaanxi Province, China: report of two cases from 2018

ABSTRACT China's compulsory annual livestock anthrax vaccination policy has remarkably reduced but not completely eradicated human anthrax infections. Herein we describe a sporadic human cutaneous anthrax outbreak involving two cases in 2018 in Shaanxi Province, both involving herdsman who dealt with unvaccinated and potentially sick cattle. Both patients showed Bacillus anthracis-positive blister smear and blood culture. Treatment with penicillin was followed by uneventful recovery for both. The prompt performance of the prophylactic measures successfully interrupted the further transmission of this sporadic human cutaneous anthrax outbreak.

Sporadic human cutaneous anthrax outbreak in Shaanxi Province, China: report of two cases from 2018.

China's compulsory annual livestock anthrax vaccination policy has remarkably reduced but not completely eradicated human anthrax infections. Herein we describe a sporadic human cutaneous anthrax outbreak involving two cases in 2018 in Shaanxi Province, both involving herdsman who dealt with unvaccinated and potentially sick cattle. Both patients showed Bacillus anthracis-positive blister smear and blood culture. Treatment with penicillin was followed by uneventful recovery for both. The prompt performance of the prophylactic measures successfully interrupted the further transmission of this sporadic human cutaneous anthrax outbreak.

Ántrax cutáneo, último brote diagnosticado en Chile / Cutaneous anthrax, the last outbreak diagnosed in Chile

Resumen El ántrax, es una zoonosis causada por una bacteria generadora de esporas, llamada Bacillus anthracis. En forma natural tiene una distribución global, con una predilección en zonas agrícolas con pocas normativas de sanidad pública veterinaria. El contagio humano ocurre por el consumo de carnes de animales enfermos, por contacto a través de una puerta de entrada en la piel o por la inhalación de esporas de productos derivados del animal afectado (lana, cuero, huesos). La infección en los seres humanos compromete con mayor frecuencia la piel, seguido por el tracto gastrointestinal y los pulmones. El control de la enfermedad se basa en la prevención, de allí la importancia de la vigilancia en la detección de casos y brotes. Presentamos el último brote de ántrax cutáneo diagnosticado en Chile con descripción de dos primeros casos clínicos del brote.

Anthrax is a zoonosis caused by a spore-forming bacterium, called Bacillus anthracis. Naturally it is of global distribution, with a predilection in agricultural zones with few norms of public veterinary health. Human contagion occurs through the consumption of diseased animal's meat or through a doorway into the skin or through the spores inhalation of products derived from the affected animal (wool, leather, bones). The most frequent infection in humans occurs in the skin, followed by the gastrointestinal tract and lungs. We present the last outbreak of cutaneous anthrax diagnosed in Chile with a description of the first two clinical cases of the outbreak. Control disease is based on prevention, hence the importance of surveillance in detecting cases and outbreaks.

Ántrax cutáneo complicado con fascitis necrotizante y síndrome compartimental / Cutaneous anthrax complicated by necrotizing fasciitis and compartment syndrome

El ántrax o carbunco cutáneo es una zoonosis producida por el Bacillus anthracis, caracterizado por una úlcera necrótica, indolora, que cura generalmente espontáneamente y sin complicaciones. Presentamos el caso de un paciente varón agroganadero que presentó una úlcera necrótica rodeada de lesiones ampollares serohemáticas en cara ventral del antebrazo derecho y múltiples vesículas satélites purulentas, asociada a un edema extenso y dolor incapacitante del miembro afectado. Al ingreso, los exámenes revelaron leucocitosis (15 000/mL), CPK total (1 730 U/L) y prueba positiva de reacción en cadena de polimerasa (PCR) para Bacillus anthracis. Se diagnosticó síndrome compartimental y se realizó fasciotomía de emergencia. El reporte quirúrgico fue fascitis necrotizante, por finger test. En el seguimiento se evidenció contractura isquémica de Volkmann leve. Se debe plantear como diagnóstico el síndrome compartimental ante el dolor incapacitante, porque nos permitirá una intervención quirúrgica oportuna a fin de evitar perder la extremidad comprometida.

Introduction: Cutaneous anthrax is a zoonosis caused by Bacillus anthracis characterized by painless necrotic ulcer that usually heals spontaneously and without complications. The case of a farmer and cattle breeder male patient who presented a bullous serosanguineous ulcer surrounded by necrotic lesions in the ventral right forearm and multiple purulent satellite vesicles associated with extensive edema and disabling pain in the affected limb is reported. On admission, examinations revealed leukocytosis (15 000/ mL), total CPK (1 730 U/L) and positive test for Bacillus anthracis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Compartment syndrome was diagnosed and emergency fasciotomy was performed. Surgical report was necrotizing fasciitis by finger test. Mild Volkmann ischemic contracture was found during follow-up. Diagnosis of compartment syndrome should be considered when disabling pain is present to decide prompt surgical intervention in order to avoid losing the limb involved.