Question

The ID50 for cutaneous anthrax is 10-50 spores. This means that

A) It requires 10-50 minutes for symptoms to appear
B) It affects 10-50% of the population
C) It has a 50% mortality rate
D) It takes 10-50 spores to infect 50% of the exposed population

Answer 1

The ID50 of 10-50 spores for cutaneous anthrax means that 10-50 spores are required to infect 50% of the exposed population. This term is associated with the pathogen's virulence and indicates the infectious potential of Bacillus anthracis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The ID50 for cutaneous anthrax, which is 10-50 spores, means that it takes 10-50 spores to infect 50% of the exposed population. This is a measure of the virulence of the pathogen, indicating how many organisms are required to cause disease in a susceptible host.

When Bacillus anthracis spores enter through the skin, they can cause cutaneous anthrax, evidenced by a black eschar formed due to dead skin tissue. This disease, if untreated, may result in death, although treatments are available that can significantly lower the mortality rate.

Additionally, inhalation anthrax is a more serious form of the disease with a higher mortality rate, and it is this form that has been associated previously with attempts at bioterrorism.