Brucellae are Gram-negative, small rods infecting mammals and capable of causing disease called brucellosis. The infection results in abortion and sterility in domestic animals (sheeps, pigs, rams etc). Especially dangerous for humans are: Brucella melitensis, Brucella suis, Brucella abortus, and Brucella canis that trigger unspecific symptoms (flu-like manifestation). Brucella rods are introduced via host cells, by inhalation, skin abrasions, ingestion or mucosal membranes. The most important feature of Brucella is the ability to survive and multiply within both phagocytic and non-phagocytic cells. Brucella does not produce classical virulence factors: exotoxin, cytolisins, exoenzymes, plasmids, fimbria, and drug resistant forms. Major virulence factors are: lipopolysaccharide (LPS), T4SS secretion system and BvrR/BvrS system, which allow interaction with host cell surface, formation of an early, late BCV (Brucella Containing Vacuole) and interaction with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) when the bacteria multiply. The treatment of brucellosis is based on two-drug therapy, the most common combinations of antibiotics are: doxycycline with rifampicin or fluoroquinolones with rifampicin. Currently, also other methods are used to disrupt Brucella intracellular replication (tauroursodeoxycholic acid or ginseng saponin fraction A).

A b s t r a c t This work presents results of the research on the occurrence of Coxiella burnetii and Francisella tularensis in the tissues of wild-living animals and ticks collected from Drawsko County, West Pomeranian Voivodeship. The real-time PCR testing for the pathogens comprised 928 samples of animal internal organs and 1551 ticks. The presence of C. burnetii was detected in 3% of wild-living animals and in 0.45-3.45% (dependent on collection areas) of ticks. The genetic sequences of F. tularensis were present in 0.49 % of ticks (only in one location -Drawa) and were not detected in animal tissues. The results indicate respectively low proportion of animals and ticks infected with C. burnetii and F. tularensis. K e y w o r d s: Coxiella burnetii, Francisella tularensis, reservoirs, real-time PCR Bielawska-Drózd A. et al.

Protective antigen domain 4 of Bacillus anthracis as a candidate for use as vaccine for anthrax.

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Biological agents that can be used as biowarfare agents (BWA) are the most dangerous threats, and can have an influence on large numbers of both humans and animals. In terms of health protection, as well as prevention of BWA attacks, rapid diagnostics are the most important step in the case of sudden suspicious situations. According to AEP-66 NATO protocols, three detection levels are required: Provisional-one of the following criteria must be met (immunological assays, detection of nucleic acids, culturing); Confirmed-two of the listed criteria must be applied (immunological assay, molecular method, culturing), and Unambiguous-all of the listed criteria must be applied (immunological assay, molecular method, culturing and animal model testing, if possible/necessary). Two of the levels (Provisional and Confirmed) can be determined in the field by a sampling team at the Provisional stage, or at a mobile laboratory (Confirmed), if available at the time of the field research. Immunoassay mainly includes rapid immunochromatographic tests that return results in 10-15 min. These tests do not require specialized equipment and skilled personnel. However, the major limitation is the sensitivity of the tests, as even negative results do not exclude the presence of the biological agents tested for. Samples must then be transferred to a mobile laboratory or stationary reference laboratory for further analyses. Molecular techniques are one of the most commonly in detection of biowarfare agents, in labs and in the field. Several instruments and reagents allow for rapid, accurate and specific identification of biological agents using Polymerase Chain Reaction method (PCR). Nowadays, classic PCR is not routinely used and has been replaced with real-time PCR. This method is more sensitive and need the short time for experiment, the fact that they can be run in multiplex format, and their ease of use after just a short training period. Finally, most of the immunological tests dedicated to environmental screening are not subject to in vitro diagnostics, including clinical samples.