Pathogenic Bacterium (Research Paper Sample)

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Pathogenic bacterium
Pathogens are disease causing micro-organisms. Although humans are the most infected, pathogens can also cause diseases to animals and other plants. Pathogenic bacteria are minute disease-causing organisms hence microscopic. In addition, they are living cells that have varying sizes and shapes. Once they enter the body of the host, the bacterium multiplies rapidly releasing harmful toxins that cause illness. This describes the mechanism of the occurrence and effects of the disease. The white blood cells present in the body of humans and animals destroy the harmful pathogens by producing antibodies and antitoxins that neutralize the toxins. This research paper provides detailed information concerning pathogenic bacteria focusing on anthrax disease. The paper also includes the history, causative agent of anthrax, its transmission, vectors as well as the symptoms of the disease.
Historically, several references have provided evidence that there has a close association between human history and anthrax. It has been suggested that, over the last thousand years, human have become aware of the effects of anthrax. For instance, historians believe that the 5th and 6th Egyptian plagues in the exodus were anthrax cases in the animals. In addition, humans were infected through physical contact with the infected animals. Anthrax was the first disease that Robert Koch, proved that it was caused by microbes. In 1876, he also proved that anthrax bacillus is the causative agent for anthrax disease (Jones 44). In addition, the disease was the first one for which a vaccine was discovered by Louis Pasteur in the year 1881. In the other half of the 19th century, pulmonary anthrax was discovered among wool sorters living in England (Turkington 11). Later on, scientists discovered that animals vaccines for anthrax could also be used on humans. Throughout the 20th and 21st century, anthrax cases have reduced in most countries such as United States with the introduction of the anthrax vaccine (Institute of Medicine, US 233).
Anthrax is a fatal disorder caused by the bacterium, Bacillus anthracis which was discovered by Dr. Robert Koch, a physician from Germany (Jones 44). Anthrax mostly affects animals such as sheep, goats and cattle thus regarded as a zoonosis disease (Spickler et al, 88). It also affects humans through contacts with the infected animals or even consumption of the infected animals’ products. The pathogenic bacterium that causes anthrax is different from other pathogenic organisms in that it is dependent on the host’s death so that it can propagate. The bacterium is exposed to oxygen once the host dies and starts to decay (Spencer 341). It then becomes spores which live and survive in the soil for up to 48 years. However, while in the soil, the spores can rarely be inhaled. Anthrax is not transmitted form one person to the other. In recent years, much attention has been given by different federal agencies towards eliminating bio-terrorist attacks which help spread the infection of anthrax (Spickler et al, 88)
Symptoms of anthrax disease are notable in the infection routes of the disease. The infection routes of anthrax are four, namely; cutaneous anthrax, gastrointestinal anthrax, injection anthrax and pulmonary anthrax (Spencer 341). All the four routs have different symptoms to the infected. Cutaneous anthrax is the most common route taken by the disease. Infection enters the body of the host through cuts or sores on the skin. Common signs of infection include swelling of lymph glands especially those adjacent to the wound, itchy papule on the skin that resemble insect bites. The papule then become blisters which discharge blood serum when they burst. Cutaneous anthrax could be fatal if not treated in its early stages (Plotkin et al, 128)
Gastrointestinal anthrax occurs when a person consumes an under-cooked infected animal’s meat. Symptoms include vomiting, fever, sore throat, loss of appetite, nausea, headaches and bloody diarrhea especially in the advanced stages of the illness (Plotkin et al, 128) Pulmonary anthrax develops when a person inhales the anthrax spores living in the soil. However, in most cases, the spores can rarely be inhaled. Signs of pulmonary anthrax include nausea, difficulties in swallowing, chest discomforts and blood coughs. Fever, meningitis and shock may occur when the illness progresses (Plotkin et al, 128)Injection anthrax, recently reported in England, is contracted when a person injects him/herself with illegal drugs. Swelling and redness of the injection area are initial signs of injection anthrax. In later stages, the infected person may experience shock, meningitis as well as organ failure (Plotkin et al, 128)
It is possible to treat and diagnose anthrax disease. Diagnosis is done by measuring particular antibodies present in blood and separating the causative bacterium from blood, respiratory secretion and skin lesions. Treatme...