| Upon entering the body, anthrax spores | | | | are carried through the air passages into the |
| germinate at the site of entry and then spread | | | | alveoli in the lungs. The spores are then collected |
| via circulation to the lymphatics, where they | | | | by the macrophages in the lungs and are further |
| multiply. In the blood stream, these bacteria | | | | carried through lymphatics to the lymph nodes in |
| trigger the release three proteins: lethal factor, | | | | the thorax. |
| edema factor and protective antigen. | | | | Anthrax spores and bacteria damage the central |
| The protective antigen combines with these other | | | | chest cavity and this leads to chest pain and |
| two factors to form lethal toxin and edema toxin | | | | difficulty in breathing. Once the spores enter the |
| respectively. The toxin molecules generally enter | | | | lymph nodes, they develop into active bacteria. |
| some of cells near the lymph nodes where they | | | | Here the bacteria multiply and finally burst through |
| destroy an essential protein which leads to | | | | the macrophages, releasing many more bacteria |
| ultimate death of those cells. In a skin infection, it | | | | into the bloodstream, which are then transferred |
| will infect nearby lymph nodes leading to swelling | | | | throughout the body. |
| and lesions under the skin. Eventually it enters the | | | | In the blood stream, these bacteria release the |
| blood system and spreads throughout the body. | | | | three kind proteins. Then lethal toxin and edema |
| And, gastrointestinal anthrax infects in a similar | | | | toxin are formed. And the same, these toxins are |
| manner. | | | | the main source of tissue damage, bleeding, and |
| The infection via the inhalational route proceeds a | | | | ultimately cause the death of the host. |
| little different. Once the spores are inhaled, they | | | | |