Protocol aids in diagnosis of inhaled anthrax

AORN Journal,  Dec, 2003  

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Researchers from New York Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, have identified key symptoms that differentiate inhaled anthrax from the flu or other common respiratory ailments, according to a Sept 2, 2003, news release from the medical center. This has allowed them to create an evidence-based screening protocol for anthrax that can be used in case of bioterrorist attack.

Researchers combined data from the 11 cases of inhaled anthrax in 2001 and historical case reports of 17 other patients, then compared the features of anthrax-related illness to more than 4,000 cases of flu and other common viral respiratory tract infections. Both anthrax and other respiratory conditions present with fever, cough, and neurologic symptoms (eg, dizziness, loss of consciousness, confusion); however, serious gastrointestinal symptoms (eg, nausea, vomiting) and shortness of breath were more common in patients with inhaled anthrax, and sore throats and runny noses were more common in patients with viral infections.

The new protocol will help emergency management and public health authorities to more rapidly identify cases of anthrax. In case of a bioterrorist attack, physicians need to be able to diagnose anthrax accurately without the use of laboratory and radiographic testing that would not be feasible with a high volume of potential cases. Four of the 11 patients who developed anthrax in 2001 initially were misdiagnosed with viral syndrome, bronchitis, or gastroenteritis.

Key Symptoms Differentiating Inhaled Anthrax from Influenza Identified by New York Weill Cornell Study (news release, New York: New York Weill Cornell Medical Center, Sept 2, 2003).

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