Treatment of Uncomplicated Cutaneous Anthrax
This protocol addresses uncomplicated cutaneous anthrax — localised skin infection caused by Bacillus anthracis without systemic involvement or severe disease features.
First-Line Approach
The recommended strategy is oral monotherapy. The specific antibiotic chosen depends on whether penicillin susceptibility among B. anthracis isolates in the local area or outbreak setting has been established. The complete regimen — including drug selection, dosing, and treatment duration — is available in the full protocol.
References
- Oral monotherapy is recommended for cases of uncomplicated cutaneous anthrax.
- In areas where penicillin susceptibility among B. anthracis isolates is not known, oral doxycycline or ciprofloxacin should be used (Table 3).
- In outbreaks where penicillin susceptibility is known, oral amoxicillin or penicillin V could be used instead.