Postexposure Prophylaxis against Experimental Inhalation Anthrax

Inhalation anthrax is a rare disease that is almost invariably fatal. This study determined whether a prolonged course of postexposure antibiotics with or without vaccination would protect monkeys exposed to a lethal aerosol dose of Bacillus anthracis when the antibiotic was discontinued. Beginning...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of infectious diseases 1993-05, Vol.167 (5), p.1239-1242
Main Authors: Friedlander, Arthur M., Welkos, Susan L., Pitt, Margaret L. M., Ezzell, John W., Worsham, Patricia L., Rose, Kenneth J., Ivins, Bruce E., Lowe, John R., Howe, Gerald B., Mikesell, Perry, Lawrence, Wade B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aerosols
Animals
Anthrax
Anthrax - prevention & control
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Antibiotics
Bacillus anthracis
Bacterial diseases
Bacterial Vaccines - therapeutic use
Biological and medical sciences
Blood
Combined Modality Therapy
Concise Communications
Dosage
Drug Therapy, Combination - therapeutic use
Experimental bacterial diseases and models
Female
Humans
Infectious diseases
Inhalation
Macaca mulatta
Male
Medical sciences
Penicillin
Spores
Vaccination
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Summary:Inhalation anthrax is a rare disease that is almost invariably fatal. This study determined whether a prolonged course of postexposure antibiotics with or without vaccination would protect monkeys exposed to a lethal aerosol dose of Bacillus anthracis when the antibiotic was discontinued. Beginning 1 day after exposure, groups of 10 animals were given penicillin, ciproftoxacin, doxycycline, doxycycline plus vaccination, vaccination alone, or saline. Antibiotics were administered for 30 days and then discontinued. Vaccine was given on days 1 and 15. Two animals died of causes other than anthrax and were not included in the statistical analysis. Nine of 10 controls and 8 of 10 animals given only vaccine died. Each antibiotic regimen completely protected animals while on therapy and provided significant long-term protection upon discontinuance of the drug (penicillin, 7 of 10 survived, P < .02; ciproftoxacin, 8 of 9 survived, P < .002; doxycycline, 9 of 10 survived, P < .002; doxycycline plus vaccination, 9 of 9 survived, P < .0002). Protection against rechallenge was provided by combining postexposure antibiotic treatment with vaccination.
ISSN:0022-1899
1537-6613
DOI:10.1093/infdis/167.5.1239