Potential for Aerosol Dissemination of Biological Weapons: Lessons from Biological Control of Insects

Levin, David B.; Amorim, Giovana Valadares de

doi:10.1089/15387130360514814

Cited by 20 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Clearly, such information is an important asset in risk assessment following a terrorist attack or a biological accident. Scenarios for intentional release into a civilian area include infecting the water supply or releasing aerosolized spores [4,5]. In a 1970 report, the World Health Organization predicted that 50 kg of spores released upwind of 500,000 civilians would result in 95,000 fatalities; likewise, a single subway attack could lead to over 10,000 deaths if carried out during rush hour [6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identifying experimental surrogates for Bacillus anthracis spores: a review

Greenberg

Busch

Keim³

et al. 2010

Investig Genet

102

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Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, is a proven biological weapon. In order to study this threat, a number of experimental surrogates have been used over the past 70 years. However, not all surrogates are appropriate for B. anthracis, especially when investigating transport, fate and survival. Although B. atrophaeus has been widely used as a B. anthracis surrogate, the two species do not always behave identically in transport and survival models. Therefore, we devised a scheme to identify a more appropriate surrogate for B. anthracis. Our selection criteria included risk of use (pathogenicity), phylogenetic relationship, morphology and comparative survivability when challenged with biocides. Although our knowledge of certain parameters remains incomplete, especially with regards to comparisons of spore longevity under natural conditions, we found that B. thuringiensis provided the best overall fit as a non-pathogenic surrogate for B. anthracis. Thus, we suggest focusing on this surrogate in future experiments of spore fate and transport modelling.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identifying experimental surrogates for Bacillus anthracis spores: a review

Greenberg

Busch

Keim³

et al. 2010

Investig Genet

102

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“…In spite of the immense exploitation of B. thuringiensis as a biopesticide, few evaluations of its dispersal and persistence following aerosol application have been reported (19)(20)(21)(22). 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.…”

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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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“…While the application of Btk does not resemble a typical state-sponsored release scenario involving a dry, weaponized powder, analysts have noted it is a ''technically feasible'' and effective (though simplistic) means of producing inhalational exposures. 10 In addition, Greenberg et al recently concluded that Btk is the most appropriate simulant for studying the environmental fate and transport of B. anthracis since the 2 agents exhibit many similarities in genetics and morphology. 11 Outdoor pesticide releases of Btk can therefore provide insights on infiltration into buildings following a deliberate-albeit crude-terrorist release.…”

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confidence: 99%

Transport of Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki from an Outdoor Release into Buildings: Pathways of Infiltration and a Rapid Method to Identify Contaminated Buildings

Cuyk

Deshpande

Hollander

et al. 2012

Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, an

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Understanding the fate and transport of biological agents into buildings will be critical to recovery and restoration efforts after a biological attack in an urban area. As part of the Interagency Biological Restoration Demonstration (IBRD), experiments were conducted in Fairfax County, VA, to study whether a biological agent can be expected to infiltrate into buildings following a wide-area release. Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki is a common organic pesticide that has been sprayed in Fairfax County for a number of years to control the gypsy moth. Because the bacterium shares many physical and biological properties with Bacillus anthracis, the results from these studies can be extrapolated to a bioterrorist release. In 2009, samples were collected from inside buildings located immediately adjacent to a spray block. A combined probabilistic and targeted sampling strategy and modeling were conducted to provide insight into likely methods of infiltration. Both the simulations and the experimental results indicate sampling entryways and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) filters are reasonable methods for "ruling in" a building as contaminated. Following a biological attack, this method is likely to provide significant savings in time and labor compared to more rigorous, statistically based characterization. However, this method should never be used to "rule out," or clear, a building.

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Potential for Aerosol Dissemination of Biological Weapons: Lessons from Biological Control of Insects

Cited by 20 publications

References 17 publications

Identifying experimental surrogates for Bacillus anthracis spores: a review

Identifying experimental surrogates for Bacillus anthracis spores: a review

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

Transport of Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki from an Outdoor Release into Buildings: Pathways of Infiltration and a Rapid Method to Identify Contaminated Buildings

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