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Anthrax Spores (anthrax + spore)
Selected AbstractsBiological weapons preparedness: the role of physiciansINTERNAL MEDICINE JOURNAL, Issue 5-6 2003C. L. Cherry Abstract The real risk posed by biological weapons was demonstrated with the distribution of anthrax spores via the USA postal service in 2001. This review outlines the central roles of physicians in optimizing biopreparedness in Australia, including maintaining awareness of the risk, promptly recognizing an event, notifying appropriate authorities upon suspicion of an event, and instituting appropriate management. Management aspects covered include appropriate diagnostic tests, infection control procedures, and empirical therapy of agents considered possible biological weapons. The critical role of physicians as public health advocates working to prevent the use of biological weapons is also outlined. (Intern Med J 2003; 33: 242,253) [source] Rapid and effective detection of anthrax spores in soil by PCRJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2003H.I. Cheun Abstract Aims: To detect Bacillus anthracis DNA from soil using rapid and simple procedures. Methods and Results: Various amounts of B. anthracis Pasteur II spores were added artificially to 1 g of soil, which was then washed with ethanol and sterile water. Enrichment of the samples in trypticase soy broth was performed twice. A DNA template was prepared from the second enrichment culture using a FastPrep instrument. The template was then used for nested and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with B. anthracis -specific primers, to confirm the presence of B. anthracis chromosomal DNA and the pXO1/pXO2 plasmids. Conclusions: One cell of B. anthracis in 1 g of soil could be detected by nested and real-time PCR. The usefulness of the PCR method using field samples was also confirmed. Significance and Impact of the Study: The results indicate that this could be a useful method for detecting anthrax-spore contaminated soil with high sensitivity. Its application could have great impact on the progress of epidemiological surveillance. [source] Anthrax: the challenges for decontaminationJOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 10 2006Richard J Sharp Abstract Anthrax remains endemic in many parts of the world with regular infections of livestock presenting a consequent risk to public health. In the United Kingdom anthrax has diminished as a significant threat to human health with only sporadic outbreaks in farm animals derived from ingestion of spores from soil at sites associated with previous outbreaks and the burial of carcasses. Occupationally-derived anthrax, associated with industries involved in the processing of animal products, has historically had an impact on the occurrence of outbreaks of infection. The introduction, in 1965, of vaccination for workers in high-risk occupations contributed significantly to the eradication of the disease from the UK. During 2001 the deliberate release of anthrax spores in the USA, disseminated through the postal system, resulted in the infection of 22 people, five of which resulted in death through inhalational anthrax. At that time anthrax was unheard of in many clinical practices and there was a lack of training and preparedness to handle such incidents; the emergency resulted in medical and public health personnel across the world having a significantly raised awareness of both the organism and the clinical symptoms of infection, and the new threat posed by bioterrorism. In the USA, the immediate public health emergency was followed by the legacy of contaminated buildings and facilities. There had been little previous systematic study of the issues surrounding sampling and decontamination of areas contaminated with Bacillus anthracis. The decontamination of large complex buildings and the equipment they contained required the urgent development and validation of new procedures for both sampling and decontamination. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Bioterrorism: Processing Contaminated Evidence, the Effects of Formaldehyde Gas on the Recovery of Latent Fingermarks,JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES, Issue 5 2007Rebecca Hoile B.Sc. Abstract:, In the present age of heightened emphasis on counter terrorism, law enforcement and forensic science are constantly evolving and adapting to the motivations and capabilities of terrorist groups and individuals. The use of biological agents on a population, such as anthrax spores, presents unique challenges to the forensic investigator, and the processing of contaminated evidence. In this research, a number of porous and nonporous items were contaminated with viable anthrax spores and marked with latent fingermarks. The test samples were then subjected to a standard formulation of formaldehyde gas. Latent fingermarks were then recovered postdecontamination using a range of methods. Standard fumigation, while effective at destroying viable spores, contributed to the degradation of amino acids leading to loss of ridge detail. A new protocol for formaldehyde gas decontamination was developed which allows for the destruction of viable spores and the successful recovery of latent marks, all within a rapid response time of less than 1 h. [source] Evaluation of spore extraction and purification methods for selective recovery of viable Bacillus anthracis sporesLETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2001D.C. Dragon Aims: To investigate methods of improving anthrax spore detection with PLET. Methods and Results: Comparisons were made of PLET and blood-supplemented PLET to recover and distinguish spores of a variety of Bacillus species. Heat and ethanol purification of spores, and spore extraction from soil with water and high specific gravity sucrose plus non-ionic detergent, were also carried out. Conclusions: PLET was more selective and suitable than blood-supplemented PLET for detection of anthrax spores in the environmental specimens. However, PLET is not an optimal spore recovery medium. Purification of spores with ethanol was as effective as heat purification. High specific gravity sucrose plus detergent extraction solutions may be more sensitive than extraction with water. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study highlights shortcomings with the standard PLET isolation of anthrax spores and describes ways in which the procedure may be improved. [source] Photogenerated glycan arrays identify immunogenic sugar moieties of Bacillus anthracis exosporiumPROTEINS: STRUCTURE, FUNCTION AND BIOINFORMATICS, Issue 2 2007Denong Wang Dr. Abstract Using photogenerated glycan arrays, we characterized a large panel of synthetic carbohydrates for their antigenic reactivities with pathogen-specific antibodies. We discovered that rabbit IgG antibodies elicited by Bacillus anthracis spores specifically recognize a tetrasaccharide chain that decorates the outermost surfaces of the B. anthracis exosporium. Since this sugar moiety is highly specific for the spores of B. anthracis, it appears to be a key biomarker for detection of B. anthracis spores and development of novel vaccines that target anthrax spores. [source] An unusually extensive case of cutaneous anthrax in a patient with type II diabetes mellitusCLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2005E. Erkek Summary Naturally acquired anthrax infection remains an important public-health problem in developing countries. Turkey is one of the countries in which the zoonotic form of anthrax may still be encountered. The most frequent portal of entry for anthrax spores is the skin. Although cutaneous anthrax is usually self-limiting, complications may arise in untreated cases. Underlying systemic disorders such as diabetes mellitus may confound the clinical picture and lead to atypical presentations. We present an unusually extensive case of cutaneous anthrax in a patient with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus. [source] Problems associated with potential massive use of antimicrobial agents as prophylaxis or therapy of a bioterrorist attackCLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION, Issue 8 2002E. Navas In addition to the direct sanitary damage of a terrorist attack caused by biological weapons, the consequences of the massive stockpiling and consumption of antimicrobial agents in order to treat or prevent the disease under a potential epidemic due to pathogenic bacteria must also be considered. Bacillus anthracis, Francisella tularensis and Yersinia pestis are the bacteria most likely to be used as terrorist weapons. Tetracyclines, quinolones and aminoglycoside are the antibiotics of choice against these microorganisms. The recent terrorist attack with anthrax spores in the USA caused a substantial increase in the sales of ciprofloxacin, as thousands of citizens received antibiotic prophylaxis for either confirmed or suspected exposure to anthrax, and many others stockpiled antibiotic supplies at their homes under a panic scenario. The massive consumption of antimicrobial drugs may lead to the selection of antibiotic resistant strains, and to the appearance of undesirable side effects, such as anaphylaxis or teratogenesis. National health authorities must develop realistic protocols in order to detect, treat and prevent mass casualties caused by biological weapons. An antibiotic stockpile has to be planned and implemented, and home stockpiling of antibiotics must be strongly discouraged. [source] | ||||||||||||||||