Identifying Meningitis During an Anthrax Mass Casualty Incident: Systematic Review of Systemic Anthrax Since 1880.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, is a potential bioterrorism agent. Anthrax meningitis is a common manifestation of B. anthracis infection, has high mortality, and requires more aggressive treatment than anthrax without meningitis. Its rapid identification and treatment are essential for successful management of an anthrax mass casualty incident.

Methods

Three hundred six published reports from 1880 through 2013 met predefined inclusion criteria. We calculated descriptive statistics for abstracted cases and conducted multivariable regression on separate derivation and validation cohorts to identify clinical diagnostic and prognostic factors for anthrax meningitis.

Results

One hundred thirty-two of 363 (36%) cases with systemic anthrax met

SUBMITTER: Katharios-Lanwermeyer S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5034857 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature