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Biomedical subjects

Allan H Frey

Publications and source records attributed to Allan H Frey.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Fate of bioterrorism-relevant viruses and bacteria, including spores, aerosolized into an indoor air environment.

An aerosol physics test facility was used in a series of eight experiments to gather an integrated comprehensive broad base of data on the fate of surrogates of microorganisms that cause smallpox, plague, glanders, anthrax, and viral hemorrhagic fevers. The results are directly relevant to the public health issue of how to protect the occupants of buildings against bioterrorism. The test conditions were directly relevant to the indoor air environment situation, and the results can be generalized to buildings that are now occupied. The reductions in concentrations of relevant viruses and bacteria--including gram-negative fermenters and nonfermenters, gram-positive cocci and bacilli, and spores--were substantial and statistically robust. The data show that the bioterrorism-relevant aerosolized viruses and bacteria, including spores, respond like small particulates to the primary (electrical) forces that control the distribution of small particulates in a room. Further, these relevant microorganisms respond like small particulates to means designed to control airborne particulates. The results could be used to anticipate the effects of a bioterrorist attack on the public health, provide information on means that can be used to minimize such effects, and used to make decisions on how best to protect occupants of specific buildings at minimal cost and with assurance of success.

Aerosols↗
PubMed2003

Minimizing pathogenic bacteria, including spores, in indoor air.

Five experiments were conducted to assess whether aerosolized bacteria, including spores, respond like particulate contaminants to the primary (electrical) forces that control the distribution of small particulate contaminants in indoor air. Such response would suggest an approach to minimizing infection in offices, hospitals, nursing homes, and other facilities. It also would have implications for protection against intentionally introduced pathogenic bacteria, including spores. The experiments used two different genera and five different strains of bacteria, including spores. Micrococcus luteus was used as a surrogate for Gram-positive cocci, because M. luteus is similar in size, shape, and cell wall composition to staphylococci, streptococci, and enterococci. Similarly, spore-forming and vegetative Bacillus subtilis were used as surrogates for Gram-positive bacilli such as Bacillus anthracis. The experiments were conducted in a dedicated aerosol physics test facility with culture-based measurements made at timed intervals. The results indicate that the organisms do respond like particulate contaminants to typical electrical forces in a room.

Aerosols↗