Inhalational anthrax, part 2: Prevention and treatment

摘要

When untreated, inhalational anthrax typically results in a rapidly fatal illness. Evidence suggests that both the anthrax vaccine and prophylaxis with ciprofloxacin or doxycy-cline are effective in preventing illness after inhalational anthrax exposure. The current anthrax vaccine appears to have an adverse-effect profile that is similar to that of other adult vaccines. For patients with active infection, the CDC recommends a multi-antibiotic regimen that should include doxycycline or a fluoroquinolone and 2 additional antibiotics that have protein or RNA synthesis inhibition, such as rifampin and clin-damycin. Monoclonal antibodies directed against anthrax toxins may also play a role in treating active infection.