ABSTRACT
Anthrax, an ancient disease of animals and humans, has been extensively studied over several decades [1]. Bacillus anthracis, a large (approximately 1-10 μm), nonmotile, spore-forming bacillus, is the etiologic agent of anthrax. Details of the life cycle of the bacterium are well described. Spores are released into the soil from carcasses of infected animals, and vegetative spore growth occurs in the soil. Herbivores are commonly infected by grazing on contaminated land or ingesting contaminated feed. Carnivores and scavengers can also be infected by feeding on an infected carcass before putrefaction occurs. Wild animals in captivity are even vulnerable, as demonstrated by an outbreak of anthrax that occurred in cheetahs after they were fed infected baboon meat [2]. Human infection generally occurs via the cutaneous or gastrointestinal route, when people handle infected animals or animal by-products or ingest infected meat. In addition, infection can occur by the inhalational route which is the most lethal. The incubation period and degree of illness will vary, depending on the exposure route and dose, in both humans and animals. The initial symptoms in
6.1 Background ..................................................................................................... 81 6.2 Description of Current Animal Models .......................................................... 82
6.2.1 Mouse..................................................................................................84 6.2.2 Rat .......................................................................................................85 6.2.3 Guinea Pig ..........................................................................................86 6.2.4 Rabbit ..................................................................................................88 6.2.5 Nonhuman Primate ............................................................................. 89
6.3 Summary ........................................................................................................92 References ................................................................................................................92
