Anthrax is an illness caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. It most often infects herbivorous livestock such as cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs. The infection can be aquired through a cut in the skin, eating contaminated food, or breathing in the bacteria. Sudden death is sometimes the first symptom, but fever, lack of rumination uncoordinated movements, and convulsions are additional signs of an anthrax infection. Humans can be infected when exposed to animals contaminated with anthrax, but it is extremely rare for anthrax to spread from human to human. The spread of anthrax in herds can be prevented by disposing of infected carcasses and vaccinating herds that are at risk of contamination. Infected people or animals can be treated with antibiotics.


Diluting the deadly effects of anthrax - with a nice cup of tea
14 Mar 2008
Western Mail [edited]
Scientists from a Welsh university have discovered a potential antidote to the deadly bio-terrorism weapon anthrax -- the humble cup of tea. The team of researchers, led by Cardiff University anthrax expert Professor Les Baillie of the Welsh School of Pharmacy, stumbled upon tea's ability to kill the deadly bacteria after trying to prove its medical benefits to their American colleagues. While working with Doctor Theresa Gallagher and her team at the Biodefense Institute, part of the Medical Biotechnology Centre of the University of Maryland in Baltimore, the 2 groups of scientists tested the effects of tea and coffee on anthrax, or Bacillus anthracis .
Prof. Baillie said, "The discovery came out of some Friday afternoon science. Our American colleagues were drinking vast amounts of Starbuck's coffee and we wanted to show them how much better tea was for you. We decided to research, under very strict laboratory conditions, if English breakfast tea was more effective than a commercially available American medium-roast coffee at killing anthrax. We found that special components in tea such as polyphenols have the ability to inhibit the activity of anthrax quite considerably. The Chinese and Japanese have said for many, many years about the medicinal qualities of tea and there have been studies to show it can protect against some forms of radiation."
Having spent nearly 20 years researching anthrax -- including working at the British Defence Science Technology Laboratory in Porton Down for 12 years and 5 years at the US Navy Biological Defense Research Directorate -- Prof. Baillie was pleasantly surprised at the results. "I certainly wouldn't suggest anyone who discovers anthrax, not to call the emergency services and just pour a cup of tea over it," added Prof. Baillie. "But I like the idea a nice cup of tea could help to get you through a moment of terror. It's a very British way of dealing with a problem."
But that's tea without milk. The scientists found that adding milk negated tea's antibacterial qualities, leaving it useless against the biological weapon. Professor Baillie continued, "I would suggest that in the event that we are faced with a potential bio-terror attack, individuals may want to forgo their dash of milk, at least until the situation is under control. What's more, given the ability of tea to bring solace and steady the mind, and to inactivate Bacillus anthracis and its toxin, perhaps the Boston Tea Party was not such a good idea after all."
Researchers now hope to use their findings from studying anthrax in America to help their understanding of Clostridium difficile , the harmful bacteria which are suspected to have caused a number of deaths, including 90 people at a hospital in Kent from April 2004 to September 2006. The team at Cardiff University said they would like to be able to apply their science to save lives in Wales and across the world.

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