Anthrax toxin

Anthrax is a disease caused by the microorganism Bacillus anthracis. This primary pathogen is a zoonotic, aerobic, spore-producing bacillus which is gram positive when tested under a microscope1-4. It is particularly dangerous because of its hardy spores which can survive despite exposure to higher temperatures, light, and multiple disinfectants3. Once the bacteria are picked up by grazing herbivores, the spores begin to germinate and become virulent. As the bacteria continue to develop in the…

agents are viewed as infectious (replicating) and classified in four categories: (1) natural poisons, or toxins, that occur without human modification, (2) viruses, (3) bacteria, and (4) plagues (White, 2012). Biological weapons kill by spreading a disease that is normally fatal or tricks…

Did you know about fifty-one percent of people die of anthrax a year? Anthrax is a serious infectious illness caused by a microbe called Bacillus anthracis that lives in soil. The good thing about anthrax that it is hard to get in the United States. Anthrax history has been widely more common in 2001. It was first discovered from ancient origins in 1250 BC. Anthrax is known as one of the worst biological attacks in the country. So far anthrax has attacked resulted in five deaths and 17 illness…

building’s air conditioning system and observed as billions of microbes spread all through the Pentagon. Secret testing proceeded through the next year as Navy warships sprayed cities of Norfolk, Hampton, and Newport News with an allegedly harmless anthrax stimulant. Ships released a three-mile long cloud of Serratia marcescens bacteria while sailing off San Francisco. Researchers assessed that nearly all of San Francisco’s 800,000 residents inhaled them. (11) The intentional release of…

aseptically attain a sample vesicular fluid on a sterile swab. The nurse also collected samples from the dark, black ulcer; she inserted a sterile swab in which she rotated for three seconds under the ulcer without completely removing it (Confirming Anthrax through the Laboratory Response Network). The nurse transported the sample to the laboratory at room temperature; about 70°F. Microbiologist in the laboratory performed series of test to identify the disease Molly has. One of which was gram…

Fears about the possible use of biological weapons against US civilians had been largely hypothetical but were confirmed by the combination of 9/11 terrorist attacks and especially, the anthrax letters of September 2001. The perception about bioterrorism drastically changed, resulting in new legislation and public health measures being put in place to prevent any future mishaps from occurring. One example is the Model State Emergency Health Powers Act which granted public health officials…

Nixon announced the United States was, “never to use biological weapons, including toxins, under any circumstances whatsoever.”. His statement implies that the United States could not even use biological weapons for protective measures. All biological arsenals were destroyed along with the hope of perfecting these weapons for defensive…

their lives forever. No one had anticipated Sarin gas being on those trains. Who had committed such a despicable act? It would not be long before police officials would figure out who. While Aum Shinrikyo also attempted attacks with botulin toxin and anthrax spores, they have an extensive history with the use of sarin gas. Aum Shinrikyo facilities were raided by law enforcement where high-end chemical producing equipment was seized, cult members drove a converted truck into…

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention works all around the United States as an agency that promotes public health. Through this agency, we have a bioterrorism website that focuses on biological agents like bacteria, viruses, and toxins that are deliberate released making it a form of terrorism. These biological agents can be spread in three ways air, water, and food. The main disease resulting from bioterrorism is death ranging from humans, animals, and plants. The CDC Bioterrorism website…

weapons during this time due to the lack of technology. About eight years ago Anthrax was huge scare around the nation. This substance brought great alarm to the United States with anthrax spores were being mailed to different offices and agencies. “The terrorist attacks which took place in Tokyo in 1995 using chemical weapons in the form of sarin, as well as attacks using biological weapons in the form of anthrax sent by mail in the United States after 2001, indicate that if such material…