• rss
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin

Cutaneous Anthrax

The primary lesion is a painless, pruritic papule that appears from one to seven days after inoculation. Within one to two days, small vesicles or a larger, 1 to 2 cm vesicle forms and is filled with clear or serosanguineous fluid. As the vesicle enlarges, satellite vesicles may form. Fluid within the vesicles may contain numerous, large gram-positive bacilli. As the lesion matures, a prominent, non-pitting edema surrounds the lesion. Eventually, the vesicle ruptures, undergoes necrosis, and enlarges, forming an ulcer covered by the characteristic black eschar. Symptoms include low-grade fever, malaise. Regional lympadenopathy is present early on.

Recognition and Management of Anthrax—An Update

Cutaneous Anthrax
Used with Permission from the Center for Public Health and Disasters of California

Search PIER® - Decision Support

ACP Members Only. Decision support for over 460 clinical topics.

Quality Improvement Programs: Our Center for Quality develops programs to bridge the gap between research and practice.

Adult Immunization: Inform, Implement, Immunize: ACP's Immunization Outreach Program

Earn MOC Points for Medical Knowledge

Earn MOC Points for Medical Knowledge

ACP offers its members many ways to earn ABIM MOC points for Medical Knowledge and to make the process easier. See our MOC Timeline Page for details.

Ceramic Bistro-Style ACP Mug

Ceramic Bistro-Style ACP Mug

Enjoy your morning brew and show your ACP spirit with our 15-ounce dishwasher- and microwave-safe mug. Enjoy free shipping within the continental U.S.