Bioterrorism recognition

Klinman DM, Verthelyi D, Takeshita F, Ishii KJ (1999) Immune recognition of foreign DNA A cure for bioterrorism Immunity 11 123-129. 

Recognition by routine surveillance systems (local, state, and federal) may be the first indicator of a bioterror event (Institute of Medicine [lOM] National Research Council, 1999). Background data on disease occurrence are needed so that an unusual pattern can be detected above the endemic (i.e., usual noise ) level. Current public health surveillance systems related to bioterrorism preparedness, including syndromic surveillance systems, are discussed in detail in chapter 20. 

How can early recognition be enhanced in community-based settings The approaches are essentially the same as for hospital-based clinicians. One component is a heightened awareness of potential bioterror agents by practitioners. A second component is increased attentiveness to unusual patterns of disease occurrence. A third component is use of a syndromic approach to clinical recognition of disease patterns. As with acute care clinicians, community-based clinicians must recognize that they may fill the role of first responders in a biological attack. 

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... 

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