In simple words: Anthrax sepsis is a serious blood infection caused by anthrax bacteria. It happens when the bacteria spread from another part of the body, like the lungs, into the bloodstream. This can lead to a range of symptoms, including high fever, chills, upset stomach, headache, and feeling very tired or confused.

Sepsis due to Bacillus anthracis.This condition arises when the bacterium Bacillus anthracis enters the bloodstream, typically from another site of anthrax infection, such as the lungs. Symptoms can include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, headache, sweating, lethargy, confusion, cough, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, body aches, and potentially death.

Example 1: A patient presents with fever, chills, and respiratory distress after exposure to animal hides contaminated with Bacillus anthracis spores.Blood cultures confirm anthrax sepsis., A patient initially diagnosed with cutaneous anthrax develops worsening fever, hypotension, and altered mental status, indicating the progression to anthrax sepsis., A patient with confirmed inhalation anthrax develops septic shock and multi-organ failure due to the dissemination of Bacillus anthracis into the bloodstream.

Documentation should include evidence of infection with Bacillus anthracis, such as positive blood cultures, along with clinical findings consistent with sepsis, such as fever, hypotension, tachycardia, and evidence of organ dysfunction. Details of the source of infection, if known (e.g., exposure to animal hides), should also be documented.