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There have recently been cases of anthrax reported in IV drug users in Glasgow, and on-call teams should be aware of this over the next few days.
An algorithm for managing suspected anthrax in drug users is available here.
The basic messages are that:
- the clinical presentation of drug users with anthrax may resemble that of the more common kinds of severe sepsis seen in this patient group;
- in light of recent outbreak in Glasgow, clinicians should consider anthrax among the differential diagnosis for severe infections in drug users;
- surgical debridement of infected soft tissue is a key part of management;
- antibiotic treatment should cover anthrax if strongly suspected;
- cultures should be handled at containment level 3 if anthrax is strongly suspected: discuss with the microbiologist/ID consultant on call.
Further information is available from the Health Protection Agency.
Posted by Chris Bunch on 24/12/09; 5:31:38 PM
From the Admin dept.
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