Eurosurveillance, Volume
9, Issue
12,
01 December 2004
Guidelines
Bichat guidelines for the clinical management of anthrax and bioterrorism-related anthrax
P Bossi1, A Tegnell2, A Baka3, F van Loock2, J Hendriks4, A Werner2, H Maidhof2, G Gouvras2
Citation style for this article: Bossi P, Tegnell A, Baka A, van Loock F, Hendriks J, Werner A, Maidhof H, Gouvras G. Bichat guidelines for the clinical management of anthrax and bioterrorism-related anthrax. Euro Surveill. 2004;9(12):pii=500. Available online: http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=500
Date of submission:
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Philippe Bossi*, Anders Tegnell, Agoritsa Baka, Frank Van Loock, Jan
Hendriks, Albrecht Werner, Heinrich Maidhof, Georgios Gouvras
Task Force on Biological and Chemical Agent Threats, Public Health Directorate,
European Commission, Luxembourg
*Corresponding author: P. Bossi, Pitié-Salpêtrière
Hospital, Paris, France, email: philippe.bossi@psl.ap-hop-paris.fr
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The spore-forming Bacillus anthracis must
be considered as one of the most serious potential biological weapons.
The recent cases of anthrax caused by a deliberate release reported in
2001 in the United States point to the necessity of early recognition
of this disease. Infection in humans most often involves the skin, and
more rarely the lungs and the gastrointestinal tract. Inhalational anthrax
is of particular interest for possible deliberate release: it is a life-threatening
disease and early diagnosis and treatment can significantly decrease
the mortality rate. Treatment consists of massive doses of antibiotics
and supportive care. Isolation is not necessary. Antibiotics such as
ciprofloxacin are recommended for post-exposure prophylaxis during 60
days.
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