[Human carbuncle (anthrax) Presentation of a case].

A case of human anthrax in a 12-month-old child is presented. Most recent literature and pathophysiology of this disease was reviewed. Our attention was called upon patient's age, rarity of this disease in our country and mainly, the form of presentation which difficulted the clinical and laboratory diagnosis. It was characterized by the presence of pustules over the entire surface of the body, with respiratory and neurological manifestations. Diagnosis was made on the basis of cultures of skin lesions and treatment was done with sodium crystalline penicillin and later, potassium V penicillin. Progress was satisfactory and the patient was discharged after 24 days of hospital stay.