Pulmonology Coding Alert

Anthrax is a bacterial disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, a rod-shaped Gram-negative bacillus, non-motile. The principle clinical manifestations and their codes are:
 
A. Cutaneous anthrax (022.0) acquired through direct skin contact with anthrax spores, cutaneous anthrax is characterized by a vesicular lesion that evolves to a depressed black area called an eschar.
 
B. Gastrointestinal anthrax (022.2) acquired by ingestion of undercooked, contaminated meat, gastrointestinal anthrax presents as severe abdominal pain, often progressing to bloody diarrhea, pharynx lesions and fever.
 
C. Pulmonary anthrax (022.1) (also referred to as inhalational anthrax) acquired by inhalation of anthrax spores, pulmonary anthrax presents with symptoms similar to viral respiratory illness. Characterized by x-ray evidence of mediastinal widening, the illness typically progresses to respiratory failure and shock, often leading to death.
 
Note: Other diagnosis codes that may also apply are 022.3 (anthrax septicemia), 022.8 (other specified manifestations of anthrax) and 022.9 (anthrax, unspecified).