Anthrax as a Biological Weapon, 2002: Updated Recommendations for Management

• Published in: JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association Vol. 287; no. 17; pp. 2236 - 2252
• Main Authors: Inglesby, Thomas V, O'Toole, Tara, Henderson, Donald A, Bartlett, John G, Ascher, Michael S, Eitzen, Edward, Friedlander, Arthur M, Gerberding, Julie, Hauer, Jerome, Hughes, James, McDade, Joseph, Osterholm, Michael T, Parker, Gerald, Perl, Trish M, Russell, Philip K, Tonat, Kevin, for the Working Group on Civilian Biodefense
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chicago, IL American Medical Association 01-05-2002
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Anthrax; Anthrax - diagnosis; Anthrax - epidemiology; Anthrax - history; Anthrax - prevention & control; Anthrax - therapy; Anthrax Vaccines; Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use; Antibiotic Prophylaxis; Bacillus anthracis; Bacterial diseases; Bacterial diseases of the skin; Biological & chemical weapons; Biological and medical sciences; Bioterrorism; Child; Child, Preschool; Decontamination; Emergency preparedness; Environmental Exposure; Female; Gastrointestinal Diseases - diagnosis; Gastrointestinal Diseases - microbiology; Gastrointestinal Diseases - therapy; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; Human bacterial diseases; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Infant; Infection Control; Infectious diseases; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Pregnancy; Public health; Respiratory Tract Infections - diagnosis; Respiratory Tract Infections - microbiology; Respiratory Tract Infections - therapy; Skin Diseases, Bacterial - diagnosis; Skin Diseases, Bacterial - microbiology; Skin Diseases, Bacterial - therapy; Spores, Bacterial; United States; Vaccination; United States; Infection; Human; Bacillus anthracis; Clinical management; Bacillales; Anthrax; Bacteriosis; Bacteria; Review; Bacillaceae; Recommendation
• ISSN: 0098-7484; 1538-3598
• DOI: 10.1001/jama.287.17.2236

OBJECTIVE To review and update consensus-based recommendations for medical and
public health professionals following a Bacillus anthracis attack against a civilian population. PARTICIPANTS The working group included 23 experts from academic medical centers,
research organizations, and governmental, military, public health, and emergency
management institutions and agencies. EVIDENCE MEDLINE databases were searched from January 1966 to January 2002, using
the Medical Subject Headings anthrax, Bacillus anthracis, biological weapon, biological terrorism, biological warfare, and biowarfare. Reference review identified
work published before 1966. Participants identified unpublished sources. CONSENSUS PROCESS The first draft synthesized the gathered information. Written comments
were incorporated into subsequent drafts. The final statement incorporated
all relevant evidence from the search along with consensus recommendations. CONCLUSIONS Specific recommendations include diagnosis of anthrax infection, indications
for vaccination, therapy, postexposure prophylaxis, decontamination of the
environment, and suggested research. This revised consensus statement presents
new information based on the analysis of the anthrax attacks of 2001, including
developments in the investigation of the anthrax attacks of 2001; important
symptoms, signs, and laboratory studies; new diagnostic clues that may help
future recognition of this disease; current anthrax vaccine information; updated
antibiotic therapeutic considerations; and judgments about environmental surveillance
and decontamination.