Historical evolution of human anthrax from occupational disease to potentially global threat as bioweapon

D'Amelio, Enrico; Gentile, Bernardina; Lista, Florigio; D’Amelio, Raffaele

doi:10.1016/j.envint.2015.09.009

Cited by 31 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 120 publications

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“…Anthrax caused by Bacillus anthracis (BA) endospores is a potential global threat in the event it is used as bioweapon (D'Amelio et al 2015). Substantial efforts have recently been directed towards the development of new agent defeat weapon systems (Nelson 2003), which are intended to be used against stockpiles of BA spores and similar biological agents.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aluminum-based materials for inactivation of aerosolized spores of Bacillus anthracis surrogates

Grinshpun

Yermakov

Indugula

et al. 2016

Aerosol Science and Technology

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Energetic materials generating biocidal combustion products to disable airborne pathogenic microorganisms (including bio-threat agents) were designed as compounds of halogens and metals with high heats of oxidation. Thermally stable Al-based powders containing iodine and chlorine were prepared using ball-milling at room and cryogenic temperatures. Such powders can replace pure aluminum in metallized energetic formulations. Their stability and halogen release were quantified using thermo-gravimetric analysis. Ignition temperatures were determined by coating prepared powders onto an electrically heated filament. All prepared composites had lower ignition temperatures and longer combustion times compared to pure Al. In separate experiments, combustion products generated by injecting the prepared powders into an air-acetylene flame were mixed with a well-characterized bioaerosol. Inactivation of viable bioaerosol particles exposed to the heated combustion products for a short period of time (estimated to be 0.33 s) was quantified. The combustion products of materials investigated in this study effectively inactivated the aerosolized spores of two tested surrogates of Bacillus anthracis (B. atrophaeus and B. thuringiensis var kurstaki). A ternary composite with 20 wt% of iodine, 40 wt% of aluminum and 40 wt% of boron was found to be most attractive based on both its stability and efficiency in inactivating the aerosolized spores. The inactivation achieved was primarily attributed to chemical stresses as the thermal effect could not solely produce the high measured levels of inactivation. The findings point to a possible synergy of the thermal and chemical spore inactivation mechanisms.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aluminum-based materials for inactivation of aerosolized spores of Bacillus anthracis surrogates

Grinshpun

Yermakov

Indugula

et al. 2016

Aerosol Science and Technology

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“…Previous research has surveyed the environmental persistence of category A and category B agents and found a wide range of viability depending on matrix and environmental conditions (USEPA 2014a). While all bioterrorism agents are cause for concern, Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, has garnered substantial research attention because it persists for years, it is easy to spread, and inhalational anthrax is particularly deadly (D'Amelio et al 2015). Generally, organisms capable of forming spores have a prolonged environmental persistence and are more resistant to decontamination, making them a good conservative test organism for other efforts as well (McDonnell and Russell 1999).…”

Section: Emerging Infectious Diseases Such As Nipah Virus and Hantavirusmentioning

confidence: 99%

Urban Fate and Transport Modeling of Contaminants: The Unique Needs of Emergency Response and the Potential for Adapting Existing Models

Mikelonis

Boe

Calfee

2018

JWMM

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Wide area urban contamination events, such as after a terrorist attack or other chemical, biological or radiological disaster, pose a logistical challenge for response and remediation. The extent of contamination, both on the surface and subsurface, directly impacts the costs related to characterization sampling, decontamination, and clearance sampling (e.g. personnel, consumables and waste management). Modeling tools that can predict the location and magnitude of contamination may allow for a more efficient allocation of key resources since wide area incidents may be very costly, and take an extended amount of time, to remediate. This paper identifies 27 existing water models that are able to simulate hydraulic, hydrologic and water quality processes and discusses the necessary adjustments to running the models during remediation activities. It also highlights how these features relate to the unique considerations encountered in the homeland security sector and discusses ongoing research needs.

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“…Very resistant spores can be produced, aerosolized, and disseminated, causing severe infections in humans and also in livestock and wildlife, which can lead to death. 2,16 Spore formation is a special feature of Gram-positive Bacillus and Clostridium species, leading to dormant forms that survive environments of extreme temperature and low nutrients, as well as chemical treatment and UV radiation. 17,18 Therefore, bacterial spores in particular pose high requirements on the efficiency of disinfectants.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Sporicidal Disinfectants for the Disinfection of Personal Protective Equipment During Biological Hazards

et al. 2020

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A fast, effective, and safe disinfection of personal protective equipment (PPE) is vitally important for emergency forces involved in biological hazards. This study aimed to investigate a broad range of disinfectants to improve the established disinfection procedure. We analyzed the efficacy of chlorine-, peracetic acid-, and oxygen-based disinfectants against Bacillus spores on PPE. Therefore, spores of different Bacillus species were exposed to disinfectants on PPE material by using a standardized procedure covering the dried spores with disinfectants and applying mechanical distribution. Efficacy of disinfectants was quantified by determining the reduction factor (log 10 levels) and number of viable spores left afterward. The chlorine-based granulate Hypochlorit CA G (2% chlorine) sufficiently inactivated Bacillus spores of risk groups 1 and 2, even with temperatures ranging from-20 to 35°C. Wofasteril Ò SC super (1.75% peracetic acid) achieved a reliable reduction of risk groups 1 and 2 and even fully virulent Bacillus spores by ‡5 log 10 levels on PPE. With this, Hypochlorit-CA G and Wofasteril Ò SC super proved to be promising alternatives to the previously proven and widely used peracetic acid compound Wofasteril Ò (2% peracetic acid) for the disinfection of PPE when bacterial spores are known to be the contaminating agent. These results will help to improve the disinfection of PPE during biological hazards by providing new data on promising alternative compounds.

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Historical evolution of human anthrax from occupational disease to potentially global threat as bioweapon

Cited by 31 publications

References 120 publications

Aluminum-based materials for inactivation of aerosolized spores of Bacillus anthracis surrogates

Aluminum-based materials for inactivation of aerosolized spores of Bacillus anthracis surrogates

Urban Fate and Transport Modeling of Contaminants: The Unique Needs of Emergency Response and the Potential for Adapting Existing Models

Evaluation of Sporicidal Disinfectants for the Disinfection of Personal Protective Equipment During Biological Hazards

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