Anthrax Diagnosis

How can we Diagnose Anthrax?

Anthrax is diagnosed by isolating B. anthracis from the blood, skin lesions, or respiratory secretions or by measuring specific antibodies in the blood of persons with suspected cases.

Tests may include-

• Cutaneous - Vesicular fluid testing and blood tests
• Inhalational - Blood tests, cerebrospinal fluid (if meningeal signs are present) or chest X-ray.
• Gastrointestinal - Blood tests.

Fluid or blood samples can be sent to a special laboratory for further testing, including PCR, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry.