INTRODUCTION
Bacillus anthracis has recently become popular as the causative agent of anthrax infections. Belonging to the bacillus species, the bacterium is considered, along with Bacillus cereus, to be of extreme medical importance. Until recently, the condition caused by the bacterium was rarely heard of. Although the bacterium is naturally found in the soil, its rare occurrences in humans have only been observed in those working with livestock or imported livestock products, therefore the disease was considered to be merely zoonotic.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Although anthrax is not currently considered to be a common infection, we have found, through descriptions found in the early literature of Greeks, Romans, and Hindus, to have been affecting humans for thousands of years. It is now believed by many scientists to have been the source of both the fifth and sixth plagues described in the biblical book of Exodus.
B. anthracis is infamous in the history of......
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