Which bioterrorism agent requires 60 days of continuous antibiotics for prophylaxis?

Which bioterrorism agent requires 60 days of continuous antibiotics for prophylaxis?

• A. Smallpox
• B. Anthrax
• C. Plague
• D. Tularemia

Answer: (B)

Spores that cause inhalational anthrax can persist in the body for a long time and may germinate and cause disease well after exposure, with the incubation potentially up to about 60 days. Because of this long window, preventive antibiotics are given for 60 days to cover the entire possible incubation period and prevent disease from developing. The usual preventive drugs are ciprofloxacin or doxycycline, started promptly after exposure. Other agents do not require such a long antibiotic course for prophylaxis: smallpox prevention centers on vaccination rather than prolonged antibiotics; plague exposure prophylaxis is typically about 7 days after exposure, and tularemia prophylaxis is shorter still. That contrast makes anthrax the agent demanding a 60-day continuous antibiotic prophylaxis.

Spores that cause inhalational anthrax can persist in the body for a long time and may germinate and cause disease well after exposure, with the incubation potentially up to about 60 days. Because of this long window, preventive antibiotics are given for 60 days to cover the entire possible incubation period and prevent disease from developing. The usual preventive drugs are ciprofloxacin or doxycycline, started promptly after exposure.

Other agents do not require such a long antibiotic course for prophylaxis: smallpox prevention centers on vaccination rather than prolonged antibiotics; plague exposure prophylaxis is typically about 7 days after exposure, and tularemia prophylaxis is shorter still. That contrast makes anthrax the agent demanding a 60-day continuous antibiotic prophylaxis.