Johns Hopkins ABX Guide
Anthrax, cutaneous
PATHOGENS
- Bacillus anthracis
- B. anthracis is a Gram-positive spore-forming bacillus that may remain stable in the environment for decades.
- On Gram stain, rods form filamentous-like strands [Fig 1].
- Pathogenesis results from spore entry via skin (cutaneous anthrax) or lungs (inhalation anthrax).
- The vegetative form causes disease due to toxin production: Protective antigen (PA), which combines with edema factor (EF) to form edema toxin (ET) and with PA to form lethal toxin (LT)
- B. anthracis is a Gram-positive spore-forming bacillus that may remain stable in the environment for decades.
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Last updated: February 10, 2024
Citation
Auwaerter, Paul G. "Anthrax, Cutaneous." Johns Hopkins ABX Guide, The Johns Hopkins University, 2024. Johns Hopkins Guides, www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_ABX_Guide/540027/1/Anthrax_cutaneous.
Auwaerter PG. Anthrax, cutaneous. Johns Hopkins ABX Guide. The Johns Hopkins University; 2024. https://www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_ABX_Guide/540027/1/Anthrax_cutaneous. Accessed October 31, 2025.
Auwaerter, P. G. (2024). Anthrax, cutaneous. In Johns Hopkins ABX Guide. The Johns Hopkins University. https://www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_ABX_Guide/540027/1/Anthrax_cutaneous
Auwaerter PG. Anthrax, Cutaneous [Internet]. In: Johns Hopkins ABX Guide. The Johns Hopkins University; 2024. [cited 2025 October 31]. Available from: https://www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_ABX_Guide/540027/1/Anthrax_cutaneous.
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