Hot, humid air decontamination of a C-130 aircraft contaminated with spores of two acrystalliferous <i>Bacillus thuringiensis</i>
 strains, surrogates for <i>Bacillus anthracis</i>

Buhr, Tony L.; Young, Alice A.; Bensman, Misty D.; Minter, Z.A.; Kennihan, Neil L.; Johnson, C. Annette; Bohmke, Matthew D.; Borgers-Klonkowski, Erica; Osborn, Emily B.; Avila, S.; Theys, Angela M.G.; Jackson, Paul J.

doi:10.1111/jam.13055

Cited by 27 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Given the dangers associated with spores of the Ames strain of B. anthracis and concerns about work with any B. anthracis strains, surrogates for B. anthracis spores, in particular, B. thuringiensis Al Hakam have been developed that mimic B. anthracis spore properties (Buhr et al . , ). These B. thuringiensis spores were also readily killed by I 2 and more rapidly than B. subtilis spores, and decoated spores of this strain were more I 2 sensitive than intact spores (Fig.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Killing the spores of Bacillus species by molecular iodine

2016

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Killing the spores of Bacillus species by molecular iodine

2016

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“…globigii, and those of an acrystalliferous B. thuringiensis strain. BtcryϪ was also recently aerosolized within a C-130 aircraft (27), where a lower density of spores in 0.1% Tween 80 was dispersed as a wet aerosol. Relatively uniform deposition on vertical and horizontal surfaces was obtained under those conditions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…More recently, evaluations of this organism specifically as a spore surrogate (23)(24)(25) and also as released in dry (26) and wet (27) aerosols have been reported. BtcryϪ, the acrystalliferous derivative of B. thuringiensis HD-1 (12), was developed to be a safe, accurate, and publicly acceptable surrogate for B. anthracis spores.…”

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confidence: 99%

Aerosol and Surface Deposition Characteristics of Two Surrogates for Bacillus anthracis Spores

Bishop

Stapleton

2016

Appl Environ Microbiol

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Spores of an acrystalliferous derivative of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki, termed Btcry؊, are morphologically, aerodynamically, and structurally indistinguishable from Bacillus anthracis spores. Btcry؊ spores were dispersed in a large, openended barn together with spores of Bacillus atrophaeus subsp. globigii, a historically used surrogate for Bacillus anthracis. Spore suspensions (2 ؋ 10 12 CFU each of B. atrophaeus subsp. globigii and Btcry؊) were aerosolized in each of five spray events using a backpack misting device incorporating an air blower; a wind of 4.9 to 7.6 m s ؊1 was also flowing through the barn in the same direction. Filter air samplers were situated throughout the barn to assess the aerosol density of the spores during each release. Trays filled with a surfactant in aqueous buffer were placed on the floor near the filter samplers to assess spore deposition. Spores were also recovered from arrays of solid surfaces (concrete, aluminum, and plywood) that had been laid on the floor and set up as a wall at the end of the barn. B. atrophaeus subsp. globigii spores were found to remain airborne for significantly longer periods, and to be deposited on horizontal surfaces at lower densities, than Btcry؊ spores, particularly near the spray source. There was a 6-fold-higher deposition of Btcry؊ spores than of B. atrophaeus subsp. globigii spores on vertical surfaces relative to the surrounding airborne density. This work is relevant for selecting the best B. anthracis surrogate for the prediction of human exposure, hazard assessment, and hazard management following a malicious release of B. anthracis. IMPORTANCEThere is concern that pathogenic bacteria could be maliciously disseminated in the air to cause human infection and disruption of normal life. The threat from spore-forming organisms, such as the causative agent of anthrax, is particularly serious. In order to assess the extent of this risk, it is important to have a surrogate organism that can be used to replicate the dispersal characteristics of the threat agent accurately. This work compares the aerosol dispersal and deposition behaviors of the surrogates Btcry؊ and B. atrophaeus subsp. globigii. Btcry؊ spores remained in the air for a shorter time, and were markedly more likely to adhere to vertical surfaces, than B. atrophaeus subsp. globigii spores. Bacillus anthracis is an important bacterial agent of concern (1). It is pathogenic to humans, particularly by inhalational exposure (2). The organism's endospores manifest greater environmental persistence and higher resistance to chemical decontaminants than those of other bacteria. Understanding of the threat posed by malicious use of B. anthracis and the development of effective countermeasures require a comparable, nonpathogenic surrogate. Bacillus atrophaeus subsp. globigii has, for many decades, been a B. anthracis surrogate (3). B. atrophaeus subsp. globigii and other surrogates related to Bacillus subtilis have generated useful information regarding spore dispersal (4, 5)....

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“…This surrogate has recently been aerosolized at a large scale in a transporter aircraft (Buhr et al . ) and in an open‐ended barn (Bishop and Stapleton ). The excellent track record of human and environmental safety of this strain (Bishop and Robinson ) makes it suitable for the aerosolization of the high densities required in order to reliably detect low levels of re‐aerosolized spores.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…kurstaki, termed 'Btcry À (Bishop and Robinson 2014), was used that lacks the characteristic parasporal crystals (van Frankenhuysen 2009), making it an even more accurate surrogate for B. anthracis than wild type strains. This surrogate has recently been aerosolized at a large scale in a transporter aircraft (Buhr et al 2016) and in an open-ended barn (Bishop and Stapleton 2016). The excellent track record of human and environmental safety of this strain (Bishop and Robinson 2014) makes it suitable for the aerosolization of the high densities required in order to reliably detect low levels of reaerosolized spores.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Re-aerosolization ofBacillus thuringiensisspores from concrete and turf

Bishop

O'Sullivan

Lane

et al. 2017

Lett Appl Microbiol

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Following the malicious and/or accidental release of an aerosol of Bacillus anthracis spores, the immediate risk of human inhalation would decrease as the spores were deposited on surfaces or diluted by wind flow. There is, however, a concern that the deposited spores could become re-aerosolized and so present an ongoing hazard. Using an accurate simulant for B. anthracis spores a method is reported here that allowed the enumeration of re-aerosolized spores from concrete and turf by wind flow and footfall. Under the conditions used, the rates of re-aerosolization were low. These findings will need to be verified under real outdoor conditions before the true significance in terms of secondary exposure to pathogenic spores can be assessed.

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Hot, humid air decontamination of a C-130 aircraft contaminated with spores of two acrystalliferous Bacillus thuringiensis strains, surrogates for Bacillus anthracis

Abstract: Transition of a new technology from research and development to acquisition at a Technology Readiness Level 7 is unprecedented.

Cited by 27 publications

References 34 publications

Killing the spores of Bacillus species by molecular iodine

Killing the spores of Bacillus species by molecular iodine

Aerosol and Surface Deposition Characteristics of Two Surrogates for Bacillus anthracis Spores

Re-aerosolization ofBacillus thuringiensisspores from concrete and turf

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