PubMed Health⌕ Search
Home/Archive/PubMed

PubMed · 11572145

Current laboratory methods for biological threat agent identification.

E A Henchal·J D Teska·G V Ludwig·D R Shoemaker·J W Ezzell
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

The authors present an integrated approach for the identification of biological threat agents. The methods used have been used extensively in field exercises and during response to incidents of biological terrorism. A diagnostic system, which integrates the clinical diagnosis or medical intelligence with immunodiagnostic tests, rapid gene amplification assays, and standard culture, provides results of the highest quality and confidence. In the future, selected reagents and technologies will be distributed through a network of civilian and military laboratories.

Explore related subjects

Bacterial InfectionsBioterrorismClinical Laboratory TechniquesHumansMicrobiological TechniquesToxins, BiologicalJournal ArticleResearch Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.Review

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

E A Henchal, J D Teska, G V Ludwig, D R Shoemaker, J W Ezzell. 2001. Current laboratory methods for biological threat agent identification.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11572145/

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

PubMed2007

Persistent bacterial infections and primary immune disorders.

Mycobacteria, Salmonella and Helicobacter species have all evolved mechanisms to evade host defenses and cause persistent infection in humans. Host control of mycobacteria and Salmonella is largely achieved by the IFN-gamma/IL-12 pathway. Immune disorders affecting this pathway are characterized by disseminated infections with environmental or nontuberculous mycobacteria. Helicobacter is a predominantly extracellular bacterium that uses its remarkable genetic diversity (as well as other mechanisms) in order to evade host defenses. The importance of humoral immunity in containing Helicobacter infections to the mucosal surface is illustrated by the primary immune disorder, X-linked agammaglobulinemia in which patients are prone to chronic bacteremia and skin infections by Helicobacter and related species such as Flexispira and Campylobacter. Exploration of these particular infections in their specific immune defects sheds light on both host and bacterial mechanisms that have implications for pathogenesis and therapy.

Bacterial Infections↗
PubMed2007

The importance of vaccination.

We have vaccines for nearly thirty of the more than seventy infectious diseases which are pathogenic for humans. Most of the vaccines, especially those to prevent childhood diseases, are highly effective with a high safety profile. Vaccines are being developed against many of the other bacteria and viruses, and some parasites. Occasionally, a new vaccine has to be withdrawn because of unexpected side effects. Smallpox remains the only infectious disease to have been eradicated. The Global Program to eradicate poliomyelitis initiated in 1988, has unfortunately run into difficulties. A few children immunised with the Sabin oral vaccine fail to clear the virus which can mutate over some years into a pathogenic form and spread rapidly unless large vaccination programs are re-introduced. Of major concern are emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, especially HIV, for which there is currently no vaccine. Fortunately, new techniques are becoming available making it possible to consider developing vaccines based on inducing strong cell-mediated immune responses to control the agent's replication when antigenic variation in surface antigens (e.g. HIV, influenza) makes classical techniques based on induction of antibody responses less attractive.

Bacterial Infections↗