AEMCA Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a route of exposure for anthrax?

1. Inhalation

2. Ingestion

3. Direct contact

4. Absorption through the skin

The correct answer is: Absorption through the skin

In the context of anthrax exposure, it's important to understand the established routes through which the bacterium Bacillus anthracis can infect individuals. The primary routes of exposure to anthrax include inhalation, ingestion, and direct contact with infected materials. Inhalation occurs when spores are breathed in, leading to pulmonary anthrax, which is the most deadly form. Ingestion of anthrax spores can happen through eating contaminated food or water, resulting in gastrointestinal anthrax. Direct contact may involve skin contact with contaminated materials, such as handling infected animals, resulting in cutaneous anthrax, which is the most common form of the disease. While the term "absorption through the skin" might imply a route similar to direct contact, it does not accurately describe how anthrax spores penetrate the body. Cutaneous anthrax is specifically characterized by a localized skin infection resulting from direct contact with the bacterium rather than an absorptive process through intact skin. Therefore, "absorption through the skin" is not an established route of exposure for anthrax, making it the correct answer in this context.