Therapy
When treating anthrax, it is crucial to detect the disease as early as possible. Since anthrax is caused by a bacterium, antibiotic therapy is most effective. The antibiotic penicillin has proven to be particularly effective for skin anthrax.
Other oral antibiotics such as erythromycin or ciprofloxacin can also help to prevent the fatal consequences of anthrax. Since intestinal and pulmonary anthrax only become noticeable in the late stages, the antibiotic is injected intravenously to achieve the direct effect in the blood as quickly as possible. The administration of antibiotics must be carried out over a period of about 2 months because it takes a long time until, for example, the pus blisters recede and until the bacteria have all been rendered harmless.
Also an antibody administration is possible. These antibodies are directed against the so-called lethal factor (LF) of the anthrax toxin. This lethal factor is a subunit of the toxin and ensures that our body cells are transferred to cell death.
If you inhibit the effect of this lethal factor, you can keep your own body cells alive. This supports the body’s own immune response. Antibodies directed against a further subunit, the so-called protective antigen (PA), prevent the pathogenic effect of the toxin. Thus, for example, the formation of edema is suppressed. The pustule, which develops during skin anthrax, must be cut out additionally.
Prophylaxis
A prophylaxis against anthrax is possible with a vaccine. This vaccine was first tested on animals and later found its importance especially in the military because the fight with anthrax spores as a biological weapon is forbidden, but was used again and again. However, this vaccination has not been approved in Germany until today because it has very high side effects.
In addition, it is associated with an enormous expenditure of time and effort. Within the first 18 months 6 vaccinations are necessary, after that you have to undergo a new vaccination every year. Since the treatment with antibiotics has a higher success rate, the vaccination is not used as prophylaxis in Germany. Also the vaccination of animals as prophylaxis is forbidden in Germany! In case of possible contact with the toxin, one should in any case take appropriate hygienic measures (washing hands, disinfecting) and consult a doctor.
