©The Author(s) 2015. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Clin Cases. Jan 16, 2015; 3(1): 20-33
Published online Jan 16, 2015. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v3.i1.20
Published online Jan 16, 2015. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v3.i1.20
Anthrax: A disease of biowarfare and public health importance
Ajay Kumar Goel, Biotechnology Division, Defence Research and Development Establishment, Gwalior 474002, India
Author contributions: Goel AK solely contributed in this paper.
Supported by Defence Research and Development Establishment, Defence Research and Development Organization, Ministry of Defence, Gwalior.
Correspondence to: Ajay Kumar Goel, MSc, PhD, Biotechnology Division, Defence Research and Development Establishment, Ministry of Defence, Jhansi Road, Gwalior 474002, India. akgoel73@yahoo.co.uk
Telephone: +91-751-2233742 Fax: +91-751-2341148
Received: July 28, 2014
Peer-review started: July 30, 2014
First decision: August 28, 2014
Revised: October 23, 2014
Accepted: October 31, 2014
Article in press: December 23, 2014
Published online: January 16, 2015
Processing time: 169 Days and 11.5 Hours
Peer-review started: July 30, 2014
First decision: August 28, 2014
Revised: October 23, 2014
Accepted: October 31, 2014
Article in press: December 23, 2014
Published online: January 16, 2015
Processing time: 169 Days and 11.5 Hours
Core Tip
Core tip: Anthrax is primarily a zoonotic disease which is caused by Bacillus anthracis (B. anthracis) and for human it has both, public health as well as biodefence importance. Anthrax has been known since ancient times; however it acquired attention as biological warfare disease after 2001 incidence in United States. B. anthracis is supposed to be the most potent BW agent because of its hardy spores, various modes of infection and high mortality rate. Understanding about the life cycle, virulence, pathogenicity and detection and diagnosis of B. anthracis is important to curb the disease.