Implications of Antibiotic Resistance in Potential Agents of Bioterrorism

Weigel, Linda M.; Morse, Stephen

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-47266-9_42

Cited by 5 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 146 publications

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“…anthracis has the potential to be a bioterrorism risk to the public because of the stability of its spores, its ability to be widely disseminated by aerosolization, and its potential for a high rate of lethality (25). Antimicrobial resistance is an essential factor to be considered in efforts to prepare for and respond to an intentional release, as in vitro selection of CIP-resistant mutants (16), genetically engineered strains for tetracycline resistance (17), and naturally occurring beta-lactam resistance (26-28) have all been reported for B. anthracis.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optical Screening for Rapid Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing and for Observation of Phenotypic Diversity among Strains of the Genetically Clonal Species Bacillus anthracis

et al. 2017

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During high-impact events involving Bacillus anthracis, such as the Amerithrax incident of 2001 or the anthrax outbreaks in Russia and Sweden in 2016, critical decisions to reduce morbidity and mortality include rapid selection and distribution of effective antimicrobial agents for treatment and postexposure prophylaxis. Detection of antimicrobial resistance currently relies on a conventional broth microdilution method that requires a 16-to 20-h incubation time for B. anthracis. Advances in high-resolution optical screening offer a new technology to more rapidly evaluate antimicrobial susceptibility and to simultaneously assess the growth characteristics of an isolate. Herein, we describe a new method developed and evaluated as a rapid antimicrobial susceptibility test for B. anthracis. This method is based on automated digital time-lapse microscopy to observe the growth and morphological effects of relevant antibiotics with an optical screening instrument, the oCelloScope. B. anthracis strains were monitored over time in the presence or absence of penicillin, ciprofloxacin, or doxycycline. Susceptibility to each antibiotic was determined in Յ4 h, 75 to 80% less than the time required for conventional methods. Time-lapse video imaging compiled from the optical screening images revealed unexpected differences in growth characteristics among strains of B. anthracis, which is considered to be a clonal organism. This technology provides a new approach for rapidly detecting phenotypic antimicrobial resistance and for documenting growth attributes that may be beneficial in the further characterization of individual strains. KEYWORDS Bacillus anthracis, morphological differentiation, multidrug resistance, optical screening technology Bacillus anthracis is the etiological agent of anthrax and has been designated a tier 1 select agent by the United States Federal Select Agent Program, as it presents a high risk of deliberate misuse as a biological threat agent. In 2001, spores of B. anthracis were maliciously distributed in letters sent through the U.S. postal system. The epidemiologic investigation identified 22 cases of anthrax (cutaneous and inhalation) in seven states (New York, New Jersey, Florida, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, and Connecticut) that ultimately resulted in five deaths (1). Globally, there are also naturally occurring outbreaks of anthrax in animals, and these may include infection of humans associated with their care.B. anthracis is a member of the Bacillus cereus group, which is composed of six species, including B. cereus, B. thuringiensis, B. anthracis, B. weihenstephanensis, B. mycoides, and B. pseudomycoides. B. anthracis has remarkably low genetic diversity across strains compared to other species of the B. cereus group (2). This species is one

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optical Screening for Rapid Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing and for Observation of Phenotypic Diversity among Strains of the Genetically Clonal Species Bacillus anthracis

et al. 2017

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“…So it is necessary to improve the number of medicines against Bacillus anthracis, Francisella tularensis, Yersinia pestis, Brucella spp, Burkholderia mallei and pseudomallei which are the bacteria most frequently used to develop this type of attack [6]. Also the new microbial hunters have to detect and investigate the possible motives of the bio crime modality (microorganisms applied to murder, extortion and revenge) [7], which make the scenario more complex by including psychological profiles within microbiological investigations, merging infectious diseases with forensic science.…”

Section: Develop and Implement Guidance Documents Withmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biodefense the Challenge for a New Microbial Hunter

Bueno¹

2018

Virol Mycol

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“…Наприклад, біологічні агенти можуть вноситися до продуктів харчування та, як наслідок, викликати масові харчові отруєння, а також, застосування в аерозольній формі для зараження значних територій і створення масових спалахів захворювань [7]. Найбільшу небезпеку становитимуть генно-інженерні штами, які резистентні до дії будь-яких відомих антибіотиків, або віруси, більш стійкі до факторів навколишнього середовища [8].…”

Section: біотероризмunclassified

“…Найперші акти біотероризму офіційно зафіксовано у 1972 р. в США (штат Орегон). Члени радикальної студентської організації RISE були затримані при спробі розпилення з літака збудників дифтерії, черевного тифу та дизентерії [8].…”

Section: біотероризмunclassified