Cutaneous anthrax associated with microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and coagulopathy in a 7-month-old infant

A 7-month-old infant with cutaneous anthrax developed severe systemic illness despite early treatment with antibiotics. The infant displayed severe microangiopathic hemolytic anemia with renal involvement, coagulopathy, and hyponatremia. These findings are unusual with cutaneous anthrax, but have been described in illness resulting from spider toxin and may delay correct diagnosis. The systemic manisfestations of the disease persisted for nearly a month despite corticosteroid therapy, but resolved.