As the documentary debuts, we feature one among the bacteria used in biological warfare. The pathogen is named Bacillus anthracis, a known species to cause anthrax infections.
Bacillus anthracis is a Gram-positive, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacterium of the genus Bacillus. An endospore forming bacterium, B. anthracis is a natural soil-dwelling organism, as well as the causative agent of anthrax.
Under conditions of environmental stress, B. anthracis bacteria naturally produce endospores which rest in the soil and can survive for decades in this state. When ingested by a cattle, sheep, or other herbivores, the bacteria begin to reproduce inside the animal and eventually kill it, then continue to reproduce in its carcass. Once the nutrients are exhausted, new endospores are produced and the cycle repeats.
B. anthracis has as least 89 known strains, ranging from highly virulent strains with biological warfare and bioterrorism applications (Ames and Vollum) to benign strains used for inoculations (Sterne). The strains differ in presence and activity of various genes, determining their virulence and production of antigens and toxins. The form associated with the 2001 anthrax attacks produced both toxin (consisting of three proteins: the protective antigen, the edema factor and the lethal factor) and a capsule (consisting of a polymer of glutamic acid).
The bacterium can be cultivated in ordinary nutrient medium under aerobic or anaerobic.
Infection Information:
Occupational exposure to infected animals or their products (such as skin and meat) is the usual pathway of exposure for humans. Workers who are exposed to dead animals and animal products are at the highest risk, especially in countries where anthrax is more common. Anthrax in wild livestock occurs in the United States. Many workers are routinely exposed to significant levels of anthrax spores but most are not sufficiently exposed to develop symptoms.
In July 2006 an artist who worked with untreated animal skins became the first person in more than 30 years to die in the United Kingdom from anthrax.
Anthrax can enter the human body through the intestines (ingestion), lungs (inhalation), or skin (cutaneous). An infected human will generally be quarantined. However, anthrax does not usually spread from one infected human to another.
Anthrax is usually contracted by handling infected animals or their wool, germ warfare/terrorism or laboratory accidents.
Treatment for anthrax infection and other bacterial infections includes large doses of intravenous and oral antibiotics, such as penicillin, ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, erythromycin, and vancomycin. For inhalation cases, antibiotic treatment is not very effective unless initiated within a day of exposure, before any symptoms appear. Antibiotic prophylaxis is crucial in cases of pulmonary anthrax to prevent death. Antibiotic-resistant strains of anthrax are known.
An FDA-licensed vaccine, produced from one non-virulent strain of the anthrax bacterium, is manufactured by BioPort Corporation, subsidiary of Emergent BioSolutions. The trade name is BioThrax, although it is commonly called Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed (AVA). It is administered in a six-dose primary series at 0,2,4 weeks and 6,12,18 months; annual booster injections are required thereafter to maintain immunity.
Aerial spores can be trapped by a simple HEPA or P100 filter.Inhalation of anthrax spores can be prevented with a full-face mask using appropriate filtration. Unbroken skin can be decontaminated by washing with simple soap and water.
In recent years there have been many attempts to develop new drugs against anthrax.
Prevention can also be accomplished through early detection. In response to the anthrax attacks of October, 2001 utilizing the United States Postal Service(USPS),the USPS has installed BioDetection Systems(BDS)in their large scale cancellation facilities. BDS response plans have been formulated by the USPS in conjunction with local responders including fire, police, hospitals and public health. Employees of these facilities have been educated on Anthrax, response actions and prophylactic medication.
