Anthrax is a zoonotic infection with a long association with human history. It is likely that the fifth and sixth plagues described in Exodus may have been anthrax in domestic animals and humans. In addition, during the 16^th and 18^th centuries in Europe, anthrax was an economically important agricultural disease. Inhalational anthrax was first described during the latter half of the 19^th century. The disease was discovered among woolsorters in England, by John Bell in the late 15^th century, caused by the generation of anthrax spore aerosols during the processing of goat wool.

Robert Koch established the microbial origin of anthrax in 1876 and discovered the sporulation processes and spore stage in Bacillus anthracis. He also developed the first nutrient media and cultivation techniques for Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax was also the first disease for which Louis Pasteur, in 1881, developed an effective live bacterial vaccine.

Anthrax occurs in domestic, wild and exotic animals, including goats, sheep, cattle, hippos, elephants, lions, zebras, and camels. Humans usually become infected via contact with infected animals or contaminated articles and animal products. Anthrax predominantly presents as a cutaneous infection, but may occur in gastrointestinal and inhalational form.

• History of Development as A Weapon
• Epidemiology and Epizootology
• Etiology
• Organ and System Pathogenesis
• Cellular and Molecular Pathogenesis (Inhalational form)
• Pathologic Anatomy (Inhalational form)
• Clinical Manifestations
• Differential Diagnosis
• Diagnosis
• Laboratory Diagnosis
• Morbidity and Mortality
• Vaccination
• Post-exposure prophylaxis
• Anti-microbial treatments
• Protection/Isolation/Notification Measures
• Sources of further information
• References