Pathogenic Bacterium: Pathogenesis and Prognosis, Cutaneous Anthrax (Research Paper Sample)

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Pathogenic Bacterium
Introduction
Phagocytic cells and intact immune system have been found to enhance resistance to bacterial infections. Hosts develop specific resistance over time even as susceptibility to infections tends to be higher in the old, the young and the immunosuppressed persons. The bacteria infectivity results from an imbalance between the bacterial virulence and the host resistance imbalances. The bacteria objective in the host is to multiply and not to kill the host or cause disease (Peterson, 1996). Anthrax is a conditioned caused by Bacillus anthracis, bacteria whose name is derived from Greek word anthrakis meaning coal. This is due to its ability to its ability to cause black, coal-like cutaneous eschars (Spenser, 2003). The bacterium was discovered by Robert Koch in 1877 while demonstrating that bacteria could cause disease by injecting anthrax spores into animals. This bacterium is common in soils of grazing areas and is not considered a threat to humans with minimal natural cases even if spores are present (Spiccuza).
Bacillus anthracis
Bacillus anthracis is the scientific name of the bacteria causing anthrax. The name is derived from the Greek word “anthrakis” meaning coal. It is encoded in two virulence plasmids necessary for complete virulence as loss of one would result in attenuated strain. The larger plasmid bears three toxins able to cause hemorrhage, edema and necrosis (Spenser, 2003).
Transmission
This bacterium is found in soils of grazing areas, capable of invading animals and is transmitted to human through improper handling of an infected animal or by eating undercooked meat from such animal.
Anthrax
This is an acute lethal disease infecting human and animals caused by Bacillus anthracis bacterium. It is of three types depending on the mode of entry of the bacterium into the host, cutaneous anthrax, inhalation anthrax and gastrointestinal anthrax (Spiccuza).
Pathogenesis and prognosis
Germination of the vegetative form occurs after ingestion of the bacterium spores by macrophages at the site of entry followed by extracellular multiplication, then the production of capsule and toxins. The inhaled spores are deposited in the alveolar spaces from where they are transported by the lymphatic to the mediastinal lymph nodes, where they cause a regional hemorrhagic lymphadenitis. The vegetative bacteria spread through blood and lymph causing severe septicemia if unchecked. Large amounts of the exotoxins responsible for the overt symptoms and death are produced (Spenser, 2003)
Symptoms
Anthrax infects a person in three main ways, through cutaneous infection (skin), inhalation or intestinal. Cutaneous anthrax is the most common and accounts for 90% of all human cases.
Cutaneous anthrax
This is characterized by a large or small lesion on the skin two to three days after an insect bite, abrasion or a cut. In rare cases, this c...