Anti-Anthrax Vaccine developed 20/06/2019 – Posted in: Daily News

ANTI-ANTHRAX VACCINE DEVELOPED

 

For: Preliminary

Topics covered: Anthrax – Symptoms, causes, preventions

 

News Flash

Researchers from the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Mysore and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) developed a new vaccine that is more effective against anthrax.

 

Anthrax

  • It is a deadly human disease caused by bacterium Bacillus anthracis. There’s no evidence that anthrax is transmitted from person to person.
  • It infects animals like horses, sheep, cattle, and goats.
  • Few animals only get infected by grazing, eating contaminated meat or inhaling the spores. Spores germinate in their bodies and produce toxins.
  • Spores of the bacterium that causes anthrax are present in the soil.

 

 

anthrax attack

Anthrax Attack

 

 

Bioterrorism:

  • It is terrorism involving the intentional release of biological agents such as bacteria, viruses, fungi or toxins.
  • In 2001, spores were used as agents of bioterrorism when letters containing anthrax spores were sent to some people in America.

 

Working of vaccine

  • The anti-anthrax vaccine generates an immune response against a Bacillus protein (protective antigen).
  • It is a protein that helps in the transport of Bacillus toxins inside the cells.

 

How Anthrax infection spread?

There are four common routes of anthrax infection:

  • Inhalation anthrax

It develops when an individual breathes in anthrax spores. It’s the most deadly way to contract the disease and it is often fatal.

Its symptoms include high fever, trouble breathing, shock, meningitis (life-threatening inflammation of the brain and spinal cord).

 

  • Gastrointestinal anthrax

This form of anthrax infection begins by eating undercooked meat from an infected animal.

Its symptoms include Nausea, Vomiting, Abdominal pain, Headache, Loss of appetite, fever, bloody diarrhea, sore throat, swollen neck.

 

  • Cutaneous anthrax

It enters one’s body through a cut or other sore on your skin. It is the mildest with appropriate treatment.

Its symptoms include itching, painless sore with black centre, swelling in the sore.

 

  • Injection anthrax

It is contracted through injecting illegal drugs and has been reported only in Europe so far.

Its symptoms include redness at the area of injection and swelling.

 

Source: Down to Earth

 

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