ANTHRAX

An infection caused by Bacillus anthracis that

occurs primarily in herbivores
Aerosolized spores of B. Anthracis have the
potential for use in biological warfare or
bioterrorism
 ETIOLOGIC AGENT
♥♥_Bacillus Anthracis_♥♥
A large, aerobic, spore-forming, gram negative (-)
rod shape that is capsulated and non-motile, grows
in chain
Spores can survive for years in dry soil destroyed
by boiling for ten minutes
Treatment by oxidizing agents such as hydrogen
perocide, or diluted formaldehyde
Most strain of the agent are susceptible to
penicillin
 MODE OF TRANSMISSION
1. Direct - contact with infected animals or
contaminated animal product
2. Indirect – through animal bites; ingestion of
contaminated meat
3. Airborne – through inhalation of
contaminated or polluted air
TYPES OF ANTHRAX
1. CUTANEOUS ANTHRAX
 Incubation pd. Ranges from 9 hours
to two weeks (2-7 days)
 2 to 3 days after the entrance of
microorganism, pimple or macule
appear
 On the 4th day, a ring of vesicles
develop around the papule.
Vesicular fluid may exude
 Marked edema start to develop
 5th – 7th day, the original papule
ulcerates forming eschar
 Edema extends to some distance
from the lesion
 In more severe form, clinical findings
are fever, toxemia, extensive edema;
shock and death may ensue
2. INHALATIONAL ANTHRAX (woolster’s
disease)
 Severe viral respiratory diseases are the
presenting symptoms
 After 1 – 3 days of acute phase, increasing fever,
dyspnea, hypoxia, and hypotension occurs
leading to death within 24 hours
 Clinical findings showed that the organisms are
directly deposited into the alveoli or into the
alveolar duct producing hemorrhagic necrosis
of the nodes associated with hemorrhagic
mediastinitis
3. GIT ANTHRAX
Results from ingestion of
inadequately cooked meat
from animals with anthrax
 Primary infection is intiated
in the intestines where
lesions are formed
accompanied by
hemorrhagic lymphadenitis
 Symptoms include fever,
nausea, and vomiting,
abdominal pain, bloody
diarrhea and sometimes
rapidly developing ascitis
 TREATMENT
 Parenteral Penicillin G – 2M units q6, until
edema subsides
 Erythromycin, tetracycline or chloramphenicol
for patients who are sensitive to penicillin
 NURSING MANAGEMENT
Careful history taking
Thorough physical examination
Skin care, psychological and emotional
support
 PINWORM
(enterobiasis)
An intestinal infection due to small intestinal
worm which infects only man
 ETIOLOGIC AGENT
ENTEROBIOUS VERMICULARIS
Formerly known as OXYURIS
VERMICULARIS
Also known as seat SEAT WORM OR
THREAD WORM
Lives and breeds in small intestine and
upper portion of the colon
 INCUBATION PERIOD PERIOD OF COMMUNICABILITY

One to two weeks As long as the person

harbors the
organism, the person
is capable of
transmitting the
disease. It is believe
that “ if one
member of the
family has it,
everybody will have
it. “
 MODE OF TRANSMISSION
 Directly – where the eggs are being
transferred by hand from the anal region to
mouth
 Indirectly – though contaminated linens or
beddings bec. The eggs are not usually
destroyed by ordinary laundering
 Swallowing or eating contaminated food
 DIAGNOSTIC TEST
Swabbing the perineal area with cellophane-
tipped applicator and examining the
cellophane microscopically for eggs
The best time to do this is in the early morning
before washing the client done perineal care
 TREATMENT/MANAGEMENT
 Piperazine hexahydrate
 All members of the family should be treated for
pinworm at the same time
 Toilet seats must be washed daily with
disinfectants
 Patient should sleep alone, and have her/his own
bedclothes, washcloths
 Wash client’s hand and clean finger nails before
each meal
 PREVENTIVE MEASURES
 Thourough handwashing after defecation and
urination
 Aviod overcrowding
 Meticulous personal hygiene
 Improved nutrition