Anthrax oropharyngeal

The symptoms of oropharyngeal anthrax include swelling of the neck, and lesions in the oral cavity (similar to cutaneous lesions), sometimes on the tonsils. Other symptoms include fever, swollen lymph nodes, and inability to swallow. Shock and toxemia can characterize both forms of the disease. The fatality rate for gastrointestinal anthrax ranges from 25 to 60%.3... 

Recommended first line treatment -inhalational, GI, and oropharyngeal anthrax Ciprofloxacin (use in combination with one or two additional antimicrohials listed helow) IV treatment initially (400 mg q 12h) in combination with one or two additional antimicrobial/ Switch to oral dosing IV treatment initially when appropriate (10-15 mg/kg q 12 h) (500 mg PO BID) in combination with one or two additional antimicrobials Switch to oral when appropriate (500 mg PO BID) Same for adults ... 

For gastrointestinal and or oropharyngeal anthrax, use regimens recommended for inhalational anthrax... 

Sirisanthana T, Nelson KE, Ezzell J, Abshire TG. Serological studies of patients with cutaneous and oral-oropharyngeal anthrax from northern Thailand. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1988 9 575-581. 

This form of anthrax is caused by ingestion of raw or undercooked contaminated meat. The incubation period for this form is 2 to 7 days. The two types of gastrointestinal anthrax (intestinal and oropharyngeal) have different sets of symptoms. 

Inhalational, oropharyngeal, and gastrointestinal anthrax should be treated with large doses of intravenous penicillin (2 million units administered every 2 h) with appropriate vasopressors, oxygen, and other supportive therapy. 

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