Skin specimens for Anthrax.
The pathologic organism (if any is present), is in the fixed tissue and is
highly unlikely to jump out of it and onto you or things it comes in contact
with. Anthrax is not contagious, but must be spread through contact with or
inhalation of thousands of spores. Routine universal cautions will serve
just fine, in my humble pathologist's opinion. Then again I sometimes drive
without fastening my belt and have been known to bring fat-laden doughnuts
into the lab (Please don't tell OSHA on me).

Is Anthrax a joking matter. Of course not. I just do not see it as a threat
to a person grossing in a fixed skin specimen. Any other pathologists with a
counterpoint?
JR Oppenheimer, MD

-----Original Message-----
From: Goodwin, Diana [mailto:DGoodwin@CHSNJ.org]
Sent: Friday, October 26, 2001 8:05 AM
To: 'Histonet'
Subject: processing of suspected anthrax skin biopsies


Greetings, Histonet.

Well, the inevitable has happened.  Here we are in historic Trenton, NJ,
where Washington crossed the Delaware in the famous surprise attack on the
Hessian army.  Now we have a new claim to fame:  Anthrax.

My histology dept. has received a skin bx. from a patient w/ suspected
cutaneous anthrax.  Can anyone give me a reference as to the safe processing
of such specimens, and, specifically, one that addresses if formalin kills
b. anthracis?

Much obliged, 

Diana Goodwin,  HT
Trenton,  NJ