Neutrophil engulfing anthrax bacteria, SEM (C037/6137) Tank Top

Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a neutrophil white blood cell engulfing Bacillus anthracis bacteria (green), the cause of anthrax. This process is called phagocytosis. B anthracis are rod-shaped, Gram-positive, spore-forming bacteria. The bacteria can infect the skin (cutaneous anthrax), causing raised itchy lesions, the lungs (pulmonary anthrax), which is fatal unless treated quickly, and the digestive system (gastrointestinal anthrax), causing vomiting of blood and severe diarrhoea. All forms can be fatal if left untreated. Treatment is with antibiotics. Neutrophils are the most abundant white blood cell and are part of the body's immune system.