Anthrax, a disease of great historical interest, is once again making headlines as an agent of
biological warfare. Bacillus anthracis, a rod-shaped, spore-forming bacterium, primarily
infects herbivores. Humans can acquire anthrax by agricultural or industrial exposure to
infected animals or animal products. More recently, the potential for intentional release of
anthrax spores in the environment has caused much concern. The common clinical
manifestations of anthrax are cutaneous disease, pulmonary disease from inhalation of …