Anthrax, bioterrorism using

Bacillus anthracis Not published yet Anthrax first use of proven bioterrorism in the United States... 

As we learned after the anthrax attacks in 2001, the ability to rapidly detect and to identify a bioterrorism agent is critical. A variety of methods are used for this purpose, including DNA fingerprinting, DNA sequencing, PCR, and ELISA immunoassays. As students read about how these methods are utilized in fighting terrorism, they learn how the methods work. It is even better if they can actually apply at least some of the methods in the laboratory. A number of suppliers provide kits designed for educational use,25 and in most cases, it is possible to use these activities in a way that simulates a bioterrorism scenario. 

Step in this direction was the first nse of anthrax. Thongh initially limited by the need of large doses, it became the weapon of choice becanse it is easily transferred, has a high mortality rate, and can be easily obtained. Moreover, variants of the anthrax bacterinm can be found all around the world making it the biological weapon of choice in the early nineteenth century. Another property of anthrax that favored its use is its poor ability to spread much past the initial target population (see also Section Modem Bioterrorism Events below). 

Immunohistochemical staining of Bacillus anthracis with monoclonal antibodies against cell wall and capsule antigens has been successfully used in the recognition of bioterrorism-related anthrax cases and is an important step in early diagnosis and treatment (Fig. 3.26A-C). Gram staining and culture isolation of... 

Koss T, Carter EL, Grossman ME, et al. Increased detection of rickettsialpox in a New York City hospital following the anthrax outbreak of 2001 Use of immunohistochemistry for the rapid confirmation of cases in an era of bioterrorism. Arch Dermatol. 2003 139 1545-1552. 

The consensus among experts in bioterrorism is that there are two agents most likely to be used by terrorists. The first is Bacillus anthracis, the bacterium that causes anthrax. The second is Variola majors the virus that causes smallpox. In this section, we ll take a brief look at just these two agents. (Chapter 7 has more technical details on these and other biological agents, such as botulism, plague, and tularemia.) But here we ll concentrate on how anthrax and smallpox measure up as threats, and examine the steps that have been taken to respond to their possible use in attacks. 

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