Wednesday, July 29, 2009 - 8:30 AM
S118
A Challenge to Biological Agent Control: The Recalcitrant Bacillus anthracis Spore
Jon J. Calomiris, Usanca, U.S. Army, 7150 Heller Loop, Fort Belvoir, Springfield, VA 22150-3198
Spore-forming microorganisms possess the potential to survive in austere environments and, thereby, can present a variety of problems such as contamination of industrial processes and deterioration of valued materials. Some spore-forming species, as pathogens, cause plant disease or human illness from exposure to fungal-colonized building interiors. Bacillus anthracis, as a bacterial spore-former, historically is regarded as an animal pathogen and a human health concern only to those exposed to diseased animal materials. However, in recent years B. anthracis has demonstrated its potential utility as a biological warfare agent. As a spore, the pathogen could survive if deliberately released in a variety of environments and perhaps cause human disease by exposure through inhalation, ingestion, or dermal contact. As demonstrated by a series of investigations, the Bacillus anthracis spore can tolerate and maintain viability under a variety of austere environments: (1) chlorinated drinking water, (2) pipe surface and bulk water of drinking water plumbing, and (3) clothing fabric. In addition, elevated levels of disinfectant or antimicrobial material for the examined environments provided minimal inactivation of the pathogen. As a strategy for more effective inactivation of the organism, a sensitization treatment (employing a polyionic compound and halogen) was developed to sensitize the dormant B. anthracis spore to disinfection. The treatment appeared to activate the dormant spore, disrupt the spore wall permeability barrier, and increase organism sensitivity to disinfection. Because defense against B. anthracis may be challenging, novel strategies are needed for effective control of the pathogen for various environments and potential attack scenarios.
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See more of The Annual Meeting and Exhibition 2009 (July 26 - 30, 2009)
See more of Invited Oral Papers
See more of The Annual Meeting and Exhibition 2009 (July 26 - 30, 2009)