Topic
Bacillus anthracis
About: Bacillus anthracis is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 3994 publications have been published within this topic receiving 128122 citations.
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104 citations
TL;DR: A brief background on the toxicology and epidemiology of B. anthracis is provided, challenges associated with its detection related to genetic similarities to other species are discussed, and immunological and, with greater emphasis, nucleic acid-based detection systems are reviewed.
Abstract: B. anthracis, the causative agent for anthrax, has been well studied for over 150 years. Due to the genetic similarities among various Bacillus species, as well as its existence in both a spore form and a vegetative state, the detection and specific identification of B. anthracis have been proven to require complex techniques and/or laborious methods. With the heightened interest in the organism as a potential biological threat agent, a large number of interesting detection technologies have recently been developed, including methods involving immunological and nucleic acid-based assay formats. The technologies range from culture-based methods to portable Total Analysis Systems based on real-time PCR. This review with 170 references provides a brief background on the toxicology and epidemiology of B. anthracis, discusses challenges associated with its detection related to genetic similarities to other species, and reviews immunological and, with greater emphasis, nucleic acid-based detection systems.
104 citations
TL;DR: The distribution pattern for recombinant inbred mice was consistent with a major role in host resistance of Hc or a closely linked locus, although other genes probably contribute.
104 citations
TL;DR: Aims: To detect and isolate Bacillus anthracis from the air by a simple and rapid procedure by a quick and efficient procedure.
Abstract: Aims: To detect and isolate Bacillus anthracis from the air by a simple and rapid procedure.
Methods and Results: One hundred litres of air were filtered through an air monitor device. After the membrane was suspended in PBS, spores of B. anthracis were added. The suspension was plated on Bacillus cereus selective agar (BCA) plates to detect B. anthracis colonies. The suspension was also heated at 95°C for 15 min and used for real-time PCR using a Light Cycler system and anthrax-specific primers.
Conclusions: A single cell of B. anthracis was detected by real-time PCR within 1 h and was also isolated on a BCA plate within two d.
Significance and Impact of the Study: Our results provide evidence that anthrax spores from the atmosphere can be detected rapidly, suggesting that real-time PCR and a Light Cycler provides a flexible and powerful tool to prevent epidemics.
103 citations
TL;DR: Large volumes of the highly antigenic gel-adsorbed protective antigen were readily produced by the method described, and stability of the product to accelerated aging was good, and storage at 4 C for 1 year caused only a minor loss in protective activity.
Abstract: A production-proving test was described for the preparation, by the anaerobic culture method, of large volumes of culture filtrate containing immunologically potent protective antigen of Bacillus anthracis. The process consisted of the anaerobic culture of a selected production strain in a chemically defined medium. The culture was then clarified and sterilized by filtration through sintered-glass filters. The sterile culture filtrate was adsorbed onto a preformed aluminum hydroxide gel, and the stabilized gel-antigen complex was concentrated. The final product had high immunizing potency, as shown by both in vivo and in vitro assays, and was well tolerated in man. Stability of the product to accelerated aging was good, and storage at 4 C for 1 year caused only a minor loss in protective activity. Large volumes of the highly antigenic gel-adsorbed protective antigen were readily produced by the method described.
102 citations