Question

MICROBIOLOGY MORPHOLOGY

1.Describe the process used to identify the cause of a Cutaneous Bacillus Anthrax disease outbreak.

i) List the tests involved.

ii) The results of the test interpretation that lead to the identification of the causative agent.

Answer 1

Cutaneous anthrax is also called Hide Porter's disease. It is a zoonotic disease. Infected animal hide when comes in contact with the skin, it causes cutaneous anthrax .

The necrotic black malignant pustule is a characteristic of cutaneous anthrax. Fluid oozing out from the puste is collected and inoculated in blood agar or PLET Medium and incubated overnight. The colonies are picked up and grams stain is performed. Gram positive bacilli in chains with spores is seen.

To confirm, further tests like gelatin liquifaction test, catalase and oxidase tests are done. All these tests are positive for Bacillus anthracis.

McFadayen's reaction is also a confirmation.