Characterization of Bacillus anthracis replication and persistence on environmental substrates associated with wildlife anthrax outbreaks.

ABSTRACT: Anthrax is a zoonosis caused by the environmentally maintained, spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis, affecting humans, livestock, and wildlife nearly worldwide. Bacterial spores are ingested, inhaled, and may be mechanically transmitted by biting insects or injection as occurs during heroin-associated human cases. Herbivorous hoofstock are very susceptible to anthrax. When these hosts die of anthrax, a localized infectious zone (LIZ) forms in the area surrounding the carcass as it is scavenged and decomposes, where viable populations of vegetative B. anthracis and spores contaminate the environment. In many settings, necrophagous flies contaminate the outer carcass, surrounding soils, and vegetation with viable pathogen while scavenging. Field observations in Texas have confirmed th

SUBMITTER: Jiranantasak T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9491531 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature