Summary
Anthrax is a bacterial infection caused by Bacillus anthracis. Morbidity and mortality following infection are high and rapid treatment following exposure is therefore required. When clinically indicated, the pregnant patient should be treated as for the non-pregnant patient. Ciprofloxacin is the first-line treatment for anthrax. Amoxicillin may also be used for treatment or prophylaxis but only if the specific strain is known to be penicillin-sensitive.
Published human data regarding maternal anthrax infection are limited to 18 case reports of infection in the latter half of pregnancy. Preterm delivery following maternal anthrax infection was reported in three of the cases even after successful treatment of the maternal infection. Intrauterine death preceded maternal death in three cases.
There are no published reports of fetal outcome following anthrax infection in the first trimester of pregnancy and an evidence-based assessment of malformation risk following exposure during this period is thus not possible. The need for additional fetal monitoring should be considered on a case-by-case basis. Discussion with UKTIS is recommended in all cases.
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