Suspected anthrax of the eyelid in children. (On three cases)

Anthrax is an infectious disease caused by Bacillus anthracis. It is primarily a disease of domestic animals. Human beings can be infected by contact with infected animals, soiled objects, thorns or insect stings. In its cutaneous form, it may produce lesions of the eyelids. The authors report three suspected cases of palpebral anthrax in children. The clinical diagnosis was evident. Scraping from the necrotic tissue showed thick Gram positive rods in two children. This aspect evokes Bacillus. All the patients responded to the Penicillin G. No complications were noted. Prevention of anthrax in Africa poses the difficult problem of health education for the local population and immunization programs for animals which can be infected by Bacillus anthracis.