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Plaut RD, Staab AB, Munson MA, Gebhardt JS, Klimko CP, Quirk AV, Cote CK, Buhr TL, Rossmaier RD, Bernhards RC, Love CE, Berk KL, Abshire TG, Rozak DA, Beck LC, Stibitz S, Goodwin BG, Smith MA, Sozhamannan S. Avirulent Bacillus anthracis Strain with Molecular Assay Targets as Surrogate for Irradiation-Inactivated Virulent Spores. Emerg Infect Dis 2018; 24. [PMID: 29553922 PMCID: PMC5875273 DOI: 10.3201/eid2404.171646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The revelation in May 2015 of the shipment of γ irradiation–inactivated wild-type Bacillus anthracis spore preparations containing a small number of live spores raised concern about the safety and security of these materials. The finding also raised doubts about the validity of the protocols and procedures used to prepare them. Such inactivated reference materials were used as positive controls in assays to detect suspected B. anthracis in samples because live agent cannot be shipped for use in field settings, in improvement of currently deployed detection methods or development of new methods, or for quality assurance and training activities. Hence, risk-mitigated B. anthracis strains are needed to fulfill these requirements. We constructed a genetically inactivated or attenuated strain containing relevant molecular assay targets and tested to compare assay performance using this strain to the historical data obtained using irradiation-inactivated virulent spores.
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Wood JP, Meyer KM, Kelly TJ, Choi YW, Rogers JV, Riggs KB, Willenberg ZJ. Environmental Persistence of Bacillus anthracis and Bacillus subtilis Spores. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0138083. [PMID: 26372011 PMCID: PMC4570822 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0138083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2015] [Accepted: 08/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a lack of data for how the viability of biological agents may degrade over time in different environments. In this study, experiments were conducted to determine the persistence of Bacillus anthracis and Bacillus subtilis spores on outdoor materials with and without exposure to simulated sunlight, using ultraviolet (UV)-A/B radiation. Spores were inoculated onto glass, wood, concrete, and topsoil and recovered after periods of 2, 14, 28, and 56 days. Recovery and inactivation kinetics for the two species were assessed for each surface material and UV exposure condition. Results suggest that with exposure to UV, decay of spore viability for both Bacillus species occurs in two phases, with an initial rapid decay, followed by a slower inactivation period. The exception was with topsoil, in which there was minimal loss of spore viability in soil over 56 days, with or without UV exposure. The greatest loss in viable spore recovery occurred on glass with UV exposure, with nearly a four log10 reduction after just two days. In most cases, B. subtilis had a slower rate of decay than B. anthracis, although less B. subtilis was recovered initially.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph P. Wood
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Homeland Security Research Center, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Kathryn M. Meyer
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States of America
| | - Thomas J. Kelly
- Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Young W. Choi
- Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - James V. Rogers
- Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Karen B. Riggs
- Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
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3
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Han H, Iakovenko L, Wilson AC. Loss of Homogentisate 1,2-Dioxygenase Activity in Bacillus anthracis Results in Accumulation of Protective Pigment. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0128967. [PMID: 26047497 PMCID: PMC4457819 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0128967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2015] [Accepted: 05/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanin production is important to the pathogenicity and survival of some bacterial pathogens. In Bacillus anthracis, loss of hmgA, encoding homogentisate 1,2-dioxygenase, results in accumulation of a melanin-like pigment called pyomelanin. Pyomelanin is produced in the mutant as a byproduct of disrupted catabolism of L-tyrosine and L-phenylalanine. Accumulation of pyomelanin protects B. anthracis cells from UV damage but not from oxidative damage. Neither loss of hmgA nor accumulation of pyomelanin alter virulence gene expression, sporulation or germination. This is the first investigation of homogentisate 1,2-dioxygenase activity in the Gram-positive bacteria, and these results provide insight into a conserved aspect of bacterial physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hesong Han
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Liudmyla Iakovenko
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Adam C. Wilson
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Liu B, Xu J, Liu T, Ouyang X. Monte Carlo N-particle simulation of neutron-based sterilisation of anthrax contamination. Br J Radiol 2012; 85:e925-32. [PMID: 22573293 PMCID: PMC3474017 DOI: 10.1259/bjr/68583711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2011] [Revised: 11/28/2011] [Accepted: 12/20/2011] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To simulate the neutron-based sterilisation of anthrax contamination by Monte Carlo N-particle (MCNP) 4C code. METHODS Neutrons are elementary particles that have no charge. They are 20 times more effective than electrons or γ-rays in killing anthrax spores on surfaces and inside closed containers. Neutrons emitted from a (252)Cf neutron source are in the 100 keV to 2 MeV energy range. A 2.5 MeV D-D neutron generator can create neutrons at up to 10(13) n s(-1) with current technology. All these enable an effective and low-cost method of killing anthrax spores. RESULTS There is no effect on neutron energy deposition on the anthrax sample when using a reflector that is thicker than its saturation thickness. Among all three reflecting materials tested in the MCNP simulation, paraffin is the best because it has the thinnest saturation thickness and is easy to machine. The MCNP radiation dose and fluence simulation calculation also showed that the MCNP-simulated neutron fluence that is needed to kill the anthrax spores agrees with previous analytical estimations very well. CONCLUSION The MCNP simulation indicates that a 10 min neutron irradiation from a 0.5 g (252)Cf neutron source or a 1 min neutron irradiation from a 2.5 MeV D-D neutron generator may kill all anthrax spores in a sample. This is a promising result because a 2.5 MeV D-D neutron generator output >10(13) n s(-1) should be attainable in the near future. This indicates that we could use a D-D neutron generator to sterilise anthrax contamination within several seconds.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Liu
- School of Nuclear Science & Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, China.
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5
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Prasad GK, Agarwal GS, Singh B, Rai GP, Vijayaraghavan R. Photocatalytic inactivation of Bacillus anthracis by titania nanomaterials. J Hazard Mater 2009; 165:506-10. [PMID: 19056174 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2008.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2008] [Revised: 09/21/2008] [Accepted: 10/06/2008] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Photocatalytic inactivation of Bacillus anthracis was studied by using titania nanomaterials and UVA light. Experimental data clearly indicated that, time of exposure, quantity of catalyst, intensity of light, particle size and Sunlight affected the inactivation. It also demonstrated the pseudo-first order behavior of inactivation kinetics and pointed out the enhanced rate of inactivation in the presence of nano-titania existing as a mixture of anatase and rutile phases. The values of rate constant were found to increase when the quantity of catalyst and intensity of UVA light were increased. Nanosized titania exhibited better inactivation properties than the bulk sized titania materials. Sunlight in the presence of nano-titania (mixture of anatase and rutile phases) displayed better photocatalytic bactericidal activity of B. anthracis than sole treatment of Sunlight.
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Affiliation(s)
- G K Prasad
- Defence R&D Establishment, Gwalior, MP, India.
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6
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Kau JH, Sun DS, Huang HH, Wong MS, Lin HC, Chang HH. Role of visible light-activated photocatalyst on the reduction of anthrax spore-induced mortality in mice. PLoS One 2009; 4:e4167. [PMID: 19132100 PMCID: PMC2613519 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0004167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2008] [Accepted: 12/07/2008] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Photocatalysis of titanium dioxide (TiO2) substrates is primarily induced by ultraviolet light irradiation. Anion-doped TiO2 substrates were shown to exhibit photocatalytic activities under visible-light illumination, relative environmentally-friendly materials. Their anti-spore activity against Bacillus anthracis, however, remains to be investigated. We evaluated these visible-light activated photocatalysts on the reduction of anthrax spore-induced pathogenesis. Methodology/Principal Findings Standard plating method was used to determine the inactivation of anthrax spore by visible light-induced photocatalysis. Mouse models were further employed to investigate the suppressive effects of the photocatalysis on anthrax toxin- and spore-mediated mortality. We found that anti-spore activities of visible light illuminated nitrogen- or carbon-doped titania thin films significantly reduced viability of anthrax spores. Even though the spore-killing efficiency is only approximately 25%, our data indicate that spores from photocatalyzed groups but not untreated groups have a less survival rate after macrophage clearance. In addition, the photocatalysis could directly inactivate lethal toxin, the major virulence factor of B. anthracis. In agreement with these results, we found that the photocatalyzed spores have tenfold less potency to induce mortality in mice. These data suggest that the photocatalysis might injury the spores through inactivating spore components. Conclusion/Significance Photocatalysis induced injuries of the spores might be more important than direct killing of spores to reduce pathogenicity in the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyh-Hwa Kau
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Der-Shan Sun
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Tzu-Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
- Institute of Medical Science, Tzu-Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Hsien Huang
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Show Wong
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Dong-Hwa University, Hualien, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Hung-Chi Lin
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Hou Chang
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Tzu-Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
- Institute of Medical Science, Tzu-Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
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7
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Xu S, Labuza TP, Diez-Gonzalez F. Inactivation of Bacillus anthracis spores by a combination of biocides and heating under high-temperature short-time pasteurization conditions. Appl Environ Microbiol 2008; 74:3336-41. [PMID: 18390680 PMCID: PMC2423028 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02072-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2007] [Accepted: 03/24/2008] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The milk supply is considered a primary route for a bioterrorism attack with Bacillus anthracis spores because typical high-temperature short-time (HTST) pasteurization conditions cannot inactivate spores. In the event of intentional contamination, an effective method to inactivate the spores in milk under HTST processing conditions is needed. This study was undertaken to identify combinations and concentrations of biocides that can inactivate B. anthracis spores at temperatures in the HTST range in less than 1 min. Hydrogen peroxide (HP), sodium hypochlorite (SH), and peroxyacetic acid (PA) were evaluated for their efficacy in inactivating spores of strains 7702, ANR-1, and 9131 in milk at 72, 80, and 85 degrees C using a sealed capillary tube technique. Strains ANR-1 and 9131 were more resistant to all of the biocide treatments than strain 7702. Addition of 1,260 ppm SH to milk reduced the number of viable spores of each strain by 6 log CFU/ml in less than 90 and 60 s at 72 and 80 degrees C, respectively. After neutralization, 1,260 ppm SH reduced the time necessary to inactivate 6 log CFU/ml (TTI6-log) at 80 degrees C to less than 20 s. Treatment of milk with 7,000 ppm HP resulted in a similar level of inactivation in 60 s. Combined treatment with 1,260 ppm SH and 1,800 ppm HP inactivated spores of all strains in less than 20 s at 80 degrees C. Mixing 15 ppm PA with milk containing 1,260 ppm SH resulted in TTI6-log of 25 and 12 s at 72 and 80 degrees C, respectively. TTI6-log of less than 20 s were also achieved at 80 degrees C by using two combinations of biocides: 250 ppm SH, 700 ppm HP, and 150 ppm PA; and 420 ppm SH (pH 7), 1,100 ppm HP, and 15 ppm PA. These results indicated that different combinations of biocides could consistently result in 6-log reductions in the number of B. anthracis spores in less than 1 min at temperatures in the HTST range. This information could be useful for developing more effective thermal treatment strategies which could be used in HTST milk plants to process contaminated milk for disposal and decontamination, as well as for potential protective measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sa Xu
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, 1334 Eckles Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
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Baweja RB, Zaman MS, Mattoo AR, Sharma K, Tripathi V, Aggarwal A, Dubey GP, Kurupati RK, Ganguli M, Chaudhury NK, Sen S, Das TK, Gade WN, Singh Y. Properties of Bacillus anthracis spores prepared under various environmental conditions. Arch Microbiol 2007. [PMID: 17713759 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-007-0295–9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis makes highly stable, heat-resistant spores which remain viable for decades. Effect of various stress conditions on sporulation in B. anthracis was studied in nutrient-deprived and sporulation medium adjusted to various pH and temperatures. The results revealed that sporulation efficiency was dependent on conditions prevailing during sporulation. Sporulation occurred earlier in culture sporulating at alkaline pH or in PBS than control. Spores formed in PBS were highly sensitive towards spore denaturants whereas, those formed at 45 degrees C were highly resistant. The decimal reduction time (D-10 time) of the spores formed at 45 degrees C by wet heat, 2 M HCl, 2 M NaOH and 2 M H(2)O(2) was higher than the respective D-10 time for the spores formed in PBS. The dipicolinic acid (DPA) content and germination efficiency was highest in spores formed at 45 degrees C. Since DPA is related to spore sensitivity towards heat and chemicals, the increased DPA content of spores prepared at 45 degrees C may be responsible for increased resistance to wet heat and other denaturants. The size of spores formed at 45 degrees C was smallest amongst all. The study reveals that temperature, pH and nutrient availability during sporulation affect properties of B. anthracis spores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renu B Baweja
- Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Mall Road, Delhi 110007, India
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9
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Baweja RB, Zaman MS, Mattoo AR, Sharma K, Tripathi V, Aggarwal A, Dubey GP, Kurupati RK, Ganguli M, Chaudhury NK, Sen S, Das TK, Gade WN, Singh Y. Properties of Bacillus anthracis spores prepared under various environmental conditions. Arch Microbiol 2007; 189:71-9. [PMID: 17713759 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-007-0295-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2006] [Revised: 07/28/2007] [Accepted: 08/04/2007] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis makes highly stable, heat-resistant spores which remain viable for decades. Effect of various stress conditions on sporulation in B. anthracis was studied in nutrient-deprived and sporulation medium adjusted to various pH and temperatures. The results revealed that sporulation efficiency was dependent on conditions prevailing during sporulation. Sporulation occurred earlier in culture sporulating at alkaline pH or in PBS than control. Spores formed in PBS were highly sensitive towards spore denaturants whereas, those formed at 45 degrees C were highly resistant. The decimal reduction time (D-10 time) of the spores formed at 45 degrees C by wet heat, 2 M HCl, 2 M NaOH and 2 M H(2)O(2) was higher than the respective D-10 time for the spores formed in PBS. The dipicolinic acid (DPA) content and germination efficiency was highest in spores formed at 45 degrees C. Since DPA is related to spore sensitivity towards heat and chemicals, the increased DPA content of spores prepared at 45 degrees C may be responsible for increased resistance to wet heat and other denaturants. The size of spores formed at 45 degrees C was smallest amongst all. The study reveals that temperature, pH and nutrient availability during sporulation affect properties of B. anthracis spores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renu B Baweja
- Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Mall Road, Delhi 110007, India
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10
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Abstract
With the anthrax threat becoming a reality, it is very important to have an effective way to sterilize areas contaminated by anthrax. Anthrax spores are the dormant form of the anthrax bacteria. They can germinate in tissues, producing new bacteria that release lethal toxins. Neutrons can be a powerful tool in our defense against anthrax contamination. Neutrons are elementary particles that have no charge, which allows them to be very penetrating, killing the anthrax spores on the surface and inside the containers. So neutrons have an advantage over other forms of radiation if deep penetration is required to kill biological organisms. A Cf neutron source allows for a low cost method of decontamination. It emits most neutrons in the 100 keV to 2 MeV energy regions, and a neutron in this energy region is 20 times more deadly than electrons or gamma rays in killing anthrax spores. If we just consider the first neutron collision with anthrax spores and that all the anthrax spores will not survive at the dose level above 2.0 x 10 Gy, our calculations show that a 0.5-g Cf neutron source within 20 min can generate 1.11 x 10 m fluence neutrons, which is good enough to kill the anthrax spores on the sample. An experimental confirmation of the above results may prove that to achieve 1.11 x 10 m fluence neutrons on the anthrax spore sample, the neutron irradiation time may be reduced dramatically or the Cf neutron source reduced to 0.1 g level or even less. The aim of this paper is to evaluate a feasible way to sterilize the anthrax contamination by using a Cf neutron source. Presently, we are mainly concentrating on the theoretical estimation of neutron fluence to see if the Cf neutron source can deliver enough neutron irradiation dose to kill the anthrax spores. Our future work will focus on experimental confirmation and Monte Carlo simulation by using Geant4 or MCNP codes. At that time, we will consider the effects of the real experimental setup, the shielding materials, the exact chemical components, and the biological structures of anthrax spores. We also need to consider the ways of carrying the anthrax spores, and this includes surface contamination, inside an envelope, or hidden in sealed metal containers and luggage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Liu
- Institute of Applied Physics and Computational Mathematics, Beijing 100088, China.
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11
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Abstract
AIMS To determine the irradiation dose necessary to reduce the populations of Bacillus anthracis spores in a dry medium in postal envelopes. METHODS AND RESULTS Bacillus anthracis Sterne 34F2 spores were dispersed in non-fat dry milk and then placed into standard business postal envelopes. The spores were treated with a sequence of irradiation doses to determine the decimal reduction value (D10) in kiloGrays (kGy). The average D10 value was 3.35 +/- 0.02 kGy. CONCLUSIONS An irradiation dose of 40.2 kGy would be required to result in a process equivalent to the thermal canning process (12 D10 reduction) to eliminate Clostridium botulinum spores. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY Irradiation is an effective means of reducing or eliminating B. anthracis spores in a dry medium in postal envelopes.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E Niebuhr
- Department of Microbiology, 207 Science I, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
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12
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Spotts Whitney EA, Beatty ME, Taylor TH, Weyant R, Sobel J, Arduino MJ, Ashford DA. Inactivation of Bacillus anthracis spores. Emerg Infect Dis 2003; 9:623-7. [PMID: 12780999 PMCID: PMC3000133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
After the intentional release of Bacillus anthracis through the U.S. Postal Service in the fall of 2001, many environments were contaminated with B. anthracis spores, and frequent inquiries were made regarding the science of destroying these spores. We conducted a survey of the literature that had potential application to the inactivation of B. anthracis spores. This article provides a tabular summary of the results.
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13
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Nicholson WL, Galeano B. UV resistance of Bacillus anthracis spores revisited: validation of Bacillus subtilis spores as UV surrogates for spores of B. anthracis Sterne. Appl Environ Microbiol 2003; 69:1327-30. [PMID: 12571068 PMCID: PMC143644 DOI: 10.1128/aem.69.2.1327-1330.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2002] [Accepted: 10/30/2002] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent bioterrorism concerns have prompted renewed efforts towards understanding the biology of bacterial spore resistance to radiation with a special emphasis on the spores of Bacillus anthracis. A review of the literature revealed that B. anthracis Sterne spores may be three to four times more resistant to 254-nm-wavelength UV than are spores of commonly used indicator strains of Bacillus subtilis. To test this notion, B. anthracis Sterne spores were purified and their UV inactivation kinetics were determined in parallel with those of the spores of two indicator strains of B. subtilis, strains WN624 and ATCC 6633. When prepared and assayed under identical conditions, the spores of all three strains exhibited essentially identical UV inactivation kinetics. The data indicate that standard UV treatments that are effective against B. subtilis spores are likely also sufficient to inactivate B. anthracis spores and that the spores of standard B. subtilis strains could reliably be used as a biodosimetry model for the UV inactivation of B. anthracis spores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wayne L Nicholson
- Department of Veterinary Science and Microbiology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA.
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14
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Mizak L, Mierzejewski J. [Gamma radiation resistance of Bacillus anthracis spores]. Med Dosw Mikrobiol 2003; 55:315-23. [PMID: 15103990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the presented study was determined the effectiveness of action the gamma radiation on water suspension B. anthracis spores. The irradiation was performed using a Cobalt 60 (Co 60) source, by using single and fractionary irradiation doses. In the investigations was used B. anthracis stain "Sterne" 34F2. The obtained results show, that gamma radiation effectively inactivates B. anthracis spores. On the efficiency of sterilization process influence the irradiation's method and the number of spores in 1 ml suspension. In the suspension 1.5 x 10(9) spore in 1 ml, sporicidal doses gamma radiation amount to 25.0 kGy (single dose) or 41.5 kGy (fractionary dose). The volume suspension about definite inoculum of spores, subjected working the gamma rays has not influence on sporicidal effectiveness of radiation sterilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Mizak
- Ośrodek Diagnostyki i Zwalczania Zagrozeń Biologicznych Wojskowy Instytut Higieny i Epidemiologii w Puławach
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15
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Abstract
By illuminating the sample with a broadband 10-300 GHz stimulus and coherently detecting the response, we obtain reflection and transmission spectra of common powdered substances, and compare them as a starting point for distinguishing concealed threats in envelopes and on personnel. Because these samples are irregular and their dielectric properties cannot be modulated, however, the spectral information we obtain is largely qualitative. To show how to gain quantitative information on biological species at micro- and millimetre-wave frequencies, we introduce thermal modulation of a globular protein in solution, and show that changes in single-wavelength microwave reflections coincide with accepted visible absorption spectra, pointing the way towards gaining quantitative chemical and biological spectra from broadband terahertz systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Ki Choi
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1415 Engineering Drive, Madison, WI 53706-1691, USA
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16
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Auslender VL, Vedernikov VA, Grachev MA, Drukker VV, Korchagin AI, Kruglyakov EP, Kudryavtsev AM, Kulikova NS, Netsvetaeva OG, Pavlova ON, Parfenova VV, Semenova EA, Serbin VI, Terkina IA, Tkov AV, Chebykin EP. Sterilization of mail by means of an electron beam accelerator. Dokl Biol Sci 2002; 385:306-9. [PMID: 12469598 DOI: 10.1023/a:1019984028041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- V L Auslender
- Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics, Siberian Division, Russian Academy of Sciences, pr. Akademika Lavrent'eva 11, Novosibirsk, 630090 Russia
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17
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Abstract
Detection of biological weapons is a primary concern in force protection, treaty verification, and safeguarding civilian populations against domestic terrorism. One great concern is the detection of Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax. Assays for detection in the laboratory often employ inactivated preparations of spores or nonpathogenic simulants. This study uses several common biodetection platforms to detect B. anthracis spores that have been inactivated by two methods and compares those data to detection of spores that have not been inactivated. The data demonstrate that inactivation methods can affect the sensitivity of nucleic acid- and antibody-based assays for the detection of B. anthracis spores. These effects should be taken into consideration when comparing laboratory results to data collected and assayed during field deployment.
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Affiliation(s)
- J L Dang
- Geo-Centers, Inc., Lanham, Maryland 20706, USA.
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18
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Abstract
BACKGROUND The potential use of Bacillus anthracis spores as a weapon of terror has rekindled interest in the rapid detection and identification of the spores of these bacteria. Prior efforts to utilize flow cytometry (FCM) for this purpose resulted in tedious and time-consuming protocols. Advances in rapid immunoassays suggest a reinvestigation of the use of FCM because this may allow for the development of a rapid and sensitive system for detection and/or identification of spores in suspect samples. METHODS In this study, antiserum was raised in goats using three different strains of B. anthracis spores as the immunogen. The resultant antibodies were purified, labeled with fluorescein, and evaluated for use in an immunoassay on a Coulter Epics XL flow cytometer. In the protocol that was developed, fluorescein-labeled antibodies are simply mixed with the sample, allowed to incubate, and then analyzed on the flow cytometer. Washes and centrifugation were eliminated. RESULTS The results showed that a rapid (5 min) and sensitive immunological analysis was feasible. The detection limit (approximately 10(3) colony-forming units [CFU]/ ml) varied with strain, but there was no difference in the detection limit between live and irradiated spores. In addition, the power of FCM was utilized to minimize false-positive reactions among similar species of Bacillus by placing constraints on scatter and fluorescence intensity. The data also suggest that scatter might be useful to determine spore viability. CONCLUSION This study shows that FCM may be an effective platform on which to perform immunological analysis for the detection and/or presumptive identification of B. anthracis spores. Published 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- P J Stopa
- The U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical and Biological Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21010-5424, USA.
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Lindeque PM, Turnbull PC. Ecology and epidemiology of anthrax in the Etosha National Park, Namibia. Onderstepoort J Vet Res 1994; 61:71-83. [PMID: 7898901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Analysis of mortality records has revealed distinct patterns in the incidence of anthrax in elephant and plains ungulates. The seasonal peak among the former is in November at the end of the dry season, while among the latter it occurs in March towards the end of the rainy season. Among elephants, there has been a notable spread of the disease to the west of the Park. Age and sex analyses indicate that, except for zebra, proportionally greater numbers of adult males die of anthrax among the species predominantly affected; however, zebra carcases are difficult to sex. In a study to identify possible environmental sources of infection, B. anthracis was detected in 3.3% of 92 water and 3.0% of 230 soil samples collected at different times of the year from 23 sites not associated with known cases of anthrax. Slight seasonal differences were noted with 5.7% positives occurring in the cold-dry period (May to August), 3.5% in the hot-dry season (September to December) and 1.4% in the hot-wet season (January to April). Higher rates (26.0% of 73 samples) were found in water from waterholes in the western part of the Park at the time of an outbreak in elephants. The possible importance of scavenger faeces was confirmed with > 50% of vulture, jackal and hyaena faeces collected from the vicinity of confirmed anthrax carcases yielding B. anthracis, sometimes in substantial numbers, while no spores were found in faeces not associated with known anthrax carcases. Despite terminal B. anthracis levels of usually > 10(7) cfu/milliliters in the blood of animals dying of anthrax, spore levels in soil contaminated by such blood at sites of anthrax carcases ranged from undetectable to a few tens of thousands. The rapid loss of viability in soil and water of anthrax bacilli was monitored experimentally and the importance of soil type demonstrated. Survival and extent of sporulation of the bacilli in water were shown to be dependent on the rate at which the blood was diluted out. Other relevant parameters examined were background flora, pH and sunlight.
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Abstract
The effects of toxin- and capsule-encoding plasmids on the kinetics of UV inactivation of various strains of Bacillus anthracis were investigated. Plasmids pXO1 and pXO2 had no effect on bacterial UV sensitivity or photoreactivation. Vegetative cells were capable of photoreactivation, but photo-induced repair of UV damage was absent in B. anthracis Sterne spores.
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CHISTIAKOV GN. [On the effect of gamma-rays on vaccinal strains STI]. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol 1960; 31:103-5. [PMID: 13693167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
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