Anthrax vigil around Gir sanctuary Jun 16, 2008
It is caused by the bacterium bacillus anthracis which is highly lethal in some forms. The department is concerned about the safety of wild animals in the park which also houses Asiatic lions, said Principal Secretary to the department Sudeep Kumar Nanda. (Sify.com, India)
Gujarat village declared anthrax-hit Jun 15, 2008
It is caused by the bacterium bacillus anthracis which is highly lethal in some forms. About half a dozen animals had died in the village recently and their samples were sent for testing, he added. (Sify.com, India)
Tests show LLNL detection instrument can monitor the air for all major terrorist threat substances Jun 13, 2008
In lab experiments, SPAMS was tested against four types of materials terrorists might use -- spores of a non-pathogenic strain of Bacillus anthracis (other strains of this bacteria cause anthrax); diethyl phthalate (a nerve agent surrogate), natural cobalt powder (a surrogate for Cobalt 60 and other radioactive metals) and trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane (RDX, a high explosive) ... The two multiple-agent tests involved the use of natural cobalt powder and RDX, and a non-pathogenic strain of Bacillus... (EurekAlert!)
FBI: Oregon man sent anthrax threat signed 'Love, Beezulbub' May 3, 2008
Court papers noted that in October 2001 letters were mailed that did in fact contain Bacillus anthracis, which causes the anthrax disease, resulting in several deaths. On June 6, 2005, a letter with powder arrived at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Hyattsville, Md. (KGW Northwest NewsChannel 8, OR)
NIST, Army researchers pave the way for anthrax spore standards Apr 16, 2008
Bacillus anthracis, the bacterium that causes anthrax, has been a centuries-old threat to human health ... Because sample stability is a key requirement for reference materials, NIST and Army researchers recently compared different methods for measuring the concentration, biological activity and stability of laboratory-grade Bacillus anthracis spores under different storage conditions ... Bacillus anthracis (Sterne), a harmless vaccine strain, was used in the study. (EurekAlert!)
Nose Spray Anthrax Vaccine Effective In Tests Apr 12, 2008
Anthrax is caused by Bacillus anthracis, a bacterium that forms seed-like structures called spores capable of reproducing the organism despite tremendous punishment ... Given these questions, vaccine designers worldwide have been seeking to design a vaccine made up of a more precise combination of the Bacillus anthracis antigens ... Under a very high magnification of 31,207X, this scanning electron micrograph (SEM) depicted spores from the Sterne strain of Bacillus anthracis bacteria. (Science Daily)
Black Tea Could Defend Against Athrax Threat Mar 16, 2008
A new study by an international team of researchers from Cardiff University and University of Maryland has revealed how the humble cup of tea could well be an antidote to Bacillus anthracis --more commonly know as anthrax ... Anthrax - a potentially fatal human disease - is caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis ... Professor Baillie continued: "I would suggest that in the event that we are faced with a potential bio-terror attack, individuals may want to forgo their dash of milk at least... (Science Daily)
Researchers find possible target to treat deadly bloodstream infections Feb 29, 2008
" The study appears in the February issue of the journal PLoS Pathogens. A graduate student in Mankin's laboratory, Shalaka Samant, infected human blood in a test tube with E. coli bacteria, a major cause of bloodstream infections in hospitalized patients. Using a novel technique developed in Mankin's laboratory, Samant discovered that 19 E. coli mutants out of more than 4,000 she tested could not grow in blood. The majority of the mutants carried a deletion of a gene involved in making... (EurekAlert!)
Anthrax enters West Bengal before bird flu exits Feb 5, 2008
Anthrax is an acute disease in humans and animals that is caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis and is highly lethal in some forms. Anthrax is one of only a few bacteria that can form long-lived spores. (Hindustan Times)
Anthrax Cellular Entry Point Uncovered Jan 28, 2008
Bacillus anthracis infection occurs in three forms: cutaneous (skin), inhalation and through swallowing spores. The skin infection is the most common type and can be treated with antibiotics if diagnosed rapidly. (Science Daily)
Finding link to anthrax, professor set NAU apart Dec 16, 2007
In early 2001, he had 25 researchers for his various projects and was among a handful of U.S. scientists who worked on Bacillus anthracis, the bacterium that lives in soil and causes anthrax disease ... Investigators speculated that whoever committed the attacks had access to Bacillus anthracis and an intimate knowledge of how the pathogen worked ... He and a colleague discovered a way to DNA fingerprint different strains of Bacillus anthracis, the pathogen that causes anthrax. (AZCentral -- News)
Anthrax scares Dec 13, 2007
Dec 10: The special squad of Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) of New Zealand revealed that the substance found on the letter is mere fertiliser and not the Anthrax powder as per their primary investigation done in Auckland today. According to reports, two separate letters were found in two media organisations TVNZ and Greenstone Pictures within a span of 30 minutes. (Newstrack India)
Faster, More Sensitive Method For Detecting Anthrax Nov 8, 2007
8, 2007) Amid continuing concerns that anthrax might be used as a bioterrorism weapon, government researchers report development of a faster, more sensitive blood test for detecting the deadly toxins produced by the anthrax bacterium, Bacillus anthracis ... Standard identification of anthrax (Bacillus anthracis) infection relies on a combination of time-consuming steps, including cell culture and gene amplification, which can take several days to provide a diagnosis and have limitations for... (Science Daily)
Preparing 3-D Images Of World's Most Deadly Infectious Diseases Nov 2, 2007
1, 2007) A scientist slides on a pair of plastic 3-D glasses and an unearthly blue multi-armed creature -- an image right out of a sci-fi horror flick -- seems to leap out of the computer screen into the laboratory. But this is no movie director's fantasy. (Science Daily)
Six Escambia students heading to statewide Academic Challenge Oct 11, 2007
Escambia County area high school students compete Wednesday at the Hall Center for a spot on the county's All-Star Academic Tournament team. Tony Giberson/tgiberson@pnj. (Pensacola News Journal)
Anthrax claims eight cows in Montana’s Sheridan County Aug 31, 2007
Anthrax is a disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, and the organism naturally occurs in the soil of many western states, including Montana. The organism forms spores which can survive in the soil for decades. (Great Falls Prairie Star, MT)
Inhaled anthrax vaccine promising in early studies Aug 28, 2007
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - An experimental anthrax vaccine that is administered intranasally, rather than by intramuscular injection, can protect against exposure to lethal amounts of Bacillus anthracis, the bacteria that causes anthrax, the results of an animal study show. The anthrax vaccine currently in use, which was developed over 30 years ago, requires multiple injections and is associated with various side effects. (Scientific American)
Easy-to-use Anthrax Vaccine Produces Immunity With Nanoparticles, Not Needles Aug 18, 2007
In the new study, the U-M team combined the nanoemulsion and a recombinant protein of Bacillus anthracis to make the vaccine, which they gave first to mice in either one or two applications ... After administering the vaccine, the researchers challenged the immune systems of immunized guinea pigs with injections of 1,000 times the lethal dose of Bacillus anthracis spores ... When the researchers delivered large doses of Bacillus anthracis spores directly into the animals' nasal tissue, they... (Science Daily)
Anthrax Bacterium's Deadly Secrets Probed Aug 10, 2007
This finding sheds light on why Bacillus anthracis does not grow in soil, even though in many ways it resembles a soil-growing bacterium ... Family members exhibit a variety of behaviours ranging from the friendly Bacillus subtilis, which lives in the soil, promotes plant growth and is used to produce industrial enzymes and vitamins, to the deadly Bacillus anthracis, which causes anthrax ... The predicted secreted proteins from Bacillus anthracis help to explain its inability to grow in soil. (Science Daily)
Taming the anthrax threat Aug 2, 2007
Shown here is an electron micrograph of a Bacillus anthracis spore, magnified 92,000 times ... Bacillus anthracis can quickly transform from a dormant spore (the white powder sent to U.S. lawmakers and others in the mail in 2001) into an active, quickly-multiplying organism once it gets inside the warm lungs of a host ... Bacillus anthracis can cause infection elsewhere in the body, but is most serious and potentially deadly when its spores are inhaled. (EurekAlert!)
Bioterrorism questions and answers May 19, 2007
A: Anthrax is a serious disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, a bacterium that forms spores. In some forms, it can be highly lethal. (AZCentral -- News)
Anthrax Paralyzes Immune Cells With Lethal Toxin, Study Shows May 9, 2007
A photomicrograph of Bacillus anthracis bacteria using Gram-stain technique. (Credit: CDC). (Science Daily)
AVI BioPharma Inc. May 9, 2007
78 million to develop countermeasures for exposure to Bacillus anthracis (anthrax) and ricin toxin. The contracts are for work that AVI will undertake on three of the four programs included in a budget allocation as part of the 2006 Defense Appropriations Act. (The Business Journal of Portland, OR)
Oral Vaccine Containing Salmonella May Protect Against Aerosolized Anthrax Apr 29, 2007
Oral administration of a Salmonella enterica-based vaccine expressing Bacillus anthracis protective antigen confers protection against aerosolized B. anthracis. Infection and Immunity, 75. (Science Daily)
New Chemical Effective Against Anthrax Apr 24, 2007
Article: "Identification of an in Vivo Inhibitor of Bacillus anthracis Spore Germination" by Monique Akoachere, Raynal C. Squires, Adel M. Nour, Ludmyl Angelov, Jurgen Brojatsch, and Ernesto Abel-Santos. Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. (Science Daily)
Cystic Fibrosis Treatment: New Study On Lung-infecting Bacterial Enzyme Suggests New Approach Apr 20, 2007
The researchers found that direct exposure of the CFTR-containing oocytes to SMase of Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus anthracis bacteria shuts off the electrical current passing through not only the normal, but also the CF-causing mutant CFTR.. The next step for the research team is to develop specific inhibitors against the bacterial SMase and test the idea in an animal model. (Science Daily)
Aggie physicists unite with Ivy League to develop anthrax detection method Apr 13, 2007
But the Texas Aceton group has developed new techniques for minimizing the background "noise" from extraneous molecules and maximizing the coherent molecular oscillations crucial to detecting endospores of Bacillus anthracis (anthrax). They have accomplished this by using a succession of femtosecond pulses (one femtosecond is one billionth of one millionth of a second) so that the first two laser pulses in the CARS process prepare a coherent molecular vibration, then time-delaying the third... (EurekAlert!)
Antimicrobial activity and brine shrimp toxicity of extracts of Terminalia brownii roots and stem Mar 30, 2007
Extracts of the stem bark, wood and whole roots of T.brownii exhibited antibacterial activity against standard strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi, and Bacillus anthracis and the fungi, Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans. Aqueous extracts exhibited the strongest activity against both bacteria and fungi. (BioMed Central)
Producers urged to vaccinate for anthrax Mar 17, 2007
Anthrax is a naturally occurring disease caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis. All warm-blooded animals are susceptible to the disease, but cattle, horses, sheep, and goats are most commonly affected. (Minnesota Farm Guide, MN)
Anthrax decontamination under way Mar 7, 2007
----------------- ----------------- RELATED BBC SITES. Last Updated: Tuesday, 6 March 2007, 18:55 GMT. (BBC News)
Homeland Security Presidential Directive/HSPD-18 Feb 8, 2007
Examples of traditional agents include Bacillus anthracis (anthrax) and Yersinia pestis (plague). (b) Enhanced Agents: Enhanced agents are traditional agents that have been modified or selected to enhance their ability to harm human populations or circumvent current countermeasures, such as a bacterium that has been modified to resist antibiotic treatment. (White House News Releases)
Zimbabwe: UN Donates Millions to Fight Foot-And-Mouth Jan 19, 2007
Small-scale farmers have seen their livestock decimated by outbreaks of highly contagious FMD, a viral disease carried by wild buffalo, which does not affect humans but has devastating effects on animals with cloven hooves, such as cattle, pigs, sheep, goats and deer, as well as anthrax, a disease caused by the bacillus anthracis, which can also infect humans. The government's failure to address bovine diseases has reduced Zimbabwe's national herd from 1. (allAfrica.com)
Anthrax attack posed greater potential threat than thought Jan 5, 2007
In October of 2001, a letter containing spores of Bacillus anthracis, the bacterium that causes the deadly disease anthrax, was opened in Daschle's office at the Hart Senate Office Building in Washington, DC. Those in or near Daschle's office, judged likely to have been exposed to the spores, received antibiotics or a vaccine, as did others within or outside the building, and no deaths resulted from this act of bioterrorism. According to the new study of the event, however, people in areas... (EurekAlert!)
Hooded, in overalls, hands tied, Saddam will meet the noose Dec 31, 2006
These included: Bacillus anthracis (which produces anthrax); Clostridium botulinum; Histoplasma capsulatum; Brucella meltitensis; Clostridium perfringens and Escherichia coli (E. coli). 2) 5000 innocent Kurds in Halabja in March 1988. (Scotsman)
Bacterial census of Texas air reveals microbial diversity Dec 23, 2006
"Most studies up to now have relied on culturing, and the level of diversity has been much less, so we're really seeing for the first time the real diversity of the air." That diversity, he said, includes relatives of bacteria found in hot springs, deep sea vents, and activated sewage sludge, as well as pathogenic organisms like Francisella tularensis and Bacillus anthracis, a finding that could explain some of the DHS' false positives. "We humans are embedded with bacteria; we are surrounded by... (The Scientist)
Microneedle Vaccination Technique Protects Rabbits Against Inhalation Anthrax Using Smaller Dosage Dec 14, 2006
Microneedle-based vaccination with the current anthrax vaccine produced an equally effective immune response to intramuscular injection in rabbits using smaller dosage say researcher from Maryland and North Carolina. They report their findings in the December 2006 issue of the journal Infection and Immunity. (Science Daily)
New finding points way to foiling anthrax's tricks Dec 1, 2006
The discovery of a similar strategy in anthrax, Bacillus anthracis, suggests that producing more than one siderophore is a general strategy of bad as well as benign bacteria, according to the researchers. To date, however, only the pathogenic forms of E. coli and Bacillus have been found to produce a siderophore not bound by siderocalin; the non-pathogenic forms that produce more than one siderophore base them on the same molecular structure to which siderocalin binds. (EurekAlert!)
New Study Finds On/Off Switch For Septic Shock Nov 22, 2006
According to a new study, septic shock--a dangerous, often deadly runaway immune response--is controlled by a genetic on/off switch. The research also suggests how a drug might temper sepsis. (Science Daily)
Anthrax discovery in village hall Nov 18, 2006
Anthrax is caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. It most commonly occurs in animals such as cattle, sheep and goats but can also occur in humans when they are exposed to infected animals. (BBC News)
Fisk: Guilty All Around Nov 7, 2006
These included Bacillus anthracis, which produces anthrax; Clostridium botulinum; Histoplasma capsulatum; Brucella melitensis; Clostridium perfringens and Escherichia coli. The same report stated that the US provided Saddam with "dual use" licensed materials which assisted in the development of chemical, biological and missile-system programmes, including chemical warfare agent production facility plant and technical drawings (provided as pesticide production facility plans). (Zmag.org)
Scientists Identify A Septic Shock Susceptibility Gene Nov 4, 2006
In the November 15th issue of Genes & Development, Dr. Robert Schneider and colleagues at NYU School of Medicine report that the AUF1 gene underlies susceptibility to septic shock. Septic shock often follows a bacterial infection, and is characterized by the overwhelming release of pro-inflammatory cytokines by the body's immune system. (Science Daily)
Terrorism victim can't shake fear Oct 22, 2006
Anthrax is an acute disease caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis and is highly lethal in its most virulent form. The bacteria is present naturally in the environment, and it can be transmitted from animals or animal products to humans. (Cape Cod Times, MA)
Newly Identified Antibody May Neutralize Inhalation Anthrax Toxin Oct 20, 2006
The intentional use of Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, continues to pose serious threat as a bioterrorism or biowarfare agent ... -- Anthrax, also referred to as splenic fever, is an acute infectious disease caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis and is highly lethal in some forms. (Science Daily)
Grammatical rules spell out new drugs Oct 19, 2006
One killed the hospital superbug Staphylococcus aureus and the bioterror agent Bacillus anthracis at low concentrations. By comparison, peptides containing exactly the same amino acids, but arranged in a non-grammatical way, had little effect on the bugs. (Nature News Service)
Mandatory Anthrax Shots to Return Oct 17, 2006
Anthrax is a deadly infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. A month after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, letters tainted with anthrax infected people in Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, New York and the District. (Washington Post)
Anthrax breaks out in west Zimbabwe Oct 16, 2006
The disease is caused by the bacterium bacillus anthracis whose unique feature is its ability to form dormant stages (spores) which can survive in the soil for many years. Animals become infected by ingestion of contaminated feed or water. (People's Daily Online, China)
Researchers Discover Cell-wall Carbohydrate That Is Crucial To Anthrax Bacterium Oct 3, 2006
Since that time, governmental authorities have been engaged in a race to find ways to keep citizens safe if terrorists attack again with Bacillus anthracis, the bacterium that causes anthrax ... As a first step in understanding the structure and function of cell wall carbohydrates, the research team examined four Bacillus anthracis strains Ames, Pasteur, Sterne and UT60 and compared them to two related strains of Bacillus cereus, a soil-dwelling bacterium that causes food-borne illnesses ... --... (Science Daily)
Anthrax for the Memories: Sep 28, 2006
The hook for Monday's piece is an article published in the issue of Applied and Environmental Microbiology by FBI scientist Douglas J. Beecher titled "Forensic Application of Microbiological Culture Analysis To Identify Mail Intentionally Contaminated with Bacillus anthracis Spores." In it, Beecher criticizes the 2002 Post piece as an example of an article implying that the postal anthrax powders were "inordinately dangerous compared to spores alone.". Perhaps the oddest thing about the play... (Slate)
Veterans of biological offensive rese... Sep 13, 2006
The scientists studied a variety of infectious agents, including Rift Valley fever, yellow fever and plague, but primarily bacillus anthracis, the agent that causes anthrax, Mr. Jemski said. After President Nixon closed the program in 1969, Mr. Jemski said his team helped clean up its remnants for three years. (Frederick News-Post)
Structure of key enzyme in plague bacterium found Aug 19, 2006
Fundamental molecular data on this enzyme and its various forms may be critical to the development of defenses against plague and other pathogens, including Bacillus anthracis (Anthrax) and Bordetella pertussis (Whooping cough). Beyond that, structural and functional studies of AC-IV, with its unusual shape, may lead to deeper understanding of the cAMP signaling mechanism and other fundamental cellular processes. (EurekAlert!)
Man dies from 'rare anthrax bug' Aug 17, 2006
" Mrs Clarke described her brother-in-law as "quite an original person" who had been a Buddhist for most of his life. She said the family had been informed at the weekend that Mr Norris died from anthrax. All appropriate precautions are being taken to deal with the house and its contents Health Protection Scotland spokesperson The disease is caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. It most commonly occurs in animals such as cattle, sheep and goats but can also occur in humans... (BBC News -- Health)
First human death from anthrax for 32 years Aug 17, 2006
Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis ... An acute infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. (Guardian Unlimited)
Race to trace 30 friends of anthrax victim Aug 17, 2006
Anthrax, named after the Greek word for coal because of the dark skin lesions it causes, is a caused by the Bacillus anthracis bacterium. Spores can exist in the soil for years and, herbivores such as cattle, sheep and goats are most likely to become infected while grazing. (Scotsman)
Tests reveal man killed by anthrax Aug 16, 2006
Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. It most commonly occurs in wild animals such as cattle, sheep and goats but can also occur in humans when they are exposed to infected animals. (Guardian Unlimited -- UK)
Encoded Metallic Nanowires Reveal Bioweapons Aug 12, 2006
Posted: August 11, 2006. When dangerous infectious diseases or biological weapons are suspected, fast help is required. (Science Daily)
UPI NewsTrack Business Aug 1, 2006
The drug treats or prevents inhalational anthrax, which is an acute infectious disease that is caused by breathing in spores of the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. The value of this modification to the Project BioShield contract is about $143 million and comes as a result of successful preliminary efficacy testing done earlier under the contract, which was signed in September 2005. (Washington Times, DC)
Scientists Aim To Thwart Use Of Flu As Bioweapon Jun 24, 2006
Posted: June 23, 2006. Flu is already a big killer, responsible for more than 35,000 deaths in the United States alone each year. (Science Daily)
Human Genome Sciences Wins Government Deal Worth $165M Jun 21, 2006
The FDA has conferred fast-track and orphan drug status on the product, which was the first investigational agent against anthrax infection to be evaluated in a clinical study following the 2001 anthrax attacks in the U.S. A human monoclonal antibody to Bacillus anthracis protective antigen, it was discovered and developed by HGS using technology integrated into the company as part of a collaboration with Cambridge Antibody Technology plc, of Cambridge, UK.. ABthrax is designed to overcome... (BioWorld Online, GA)
Infectious Defense Jun 15, 2006
In the fall of 2001, five people died after exposure to weapons-grade spores of the Bacillus anthracis bacterium--anthrax--delivered in postal letters. The crime, which remains unsolved, brought national and international attention to the looming danger of bioterrorism and biological warfare. (Discover Magazine)
Researchers Succeed In Observing For First Time How DNA Damage Is Identified May 23, 2006
Posted: May 22, 2006. For the first time anywhere, researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have succeeded in observing and describing how damaged DNA is naturally identified. (Science Daily)
Vaccine Combined With Short-term Postexposure Antibiotics Protects Monkeys From Inhalational Anthrax May 3, 2006
Anthrax is caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis, and causes three types of disease--cutaneous, gastrointestinal, and inhalational--depending upon the route of exposure ... -- Anthrax, also referred to as splenic fever, is an acute infectious disease caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis and is highly lethal in some forms. (Science Daily)
Vaccine plant, vaccines linked to cancer institute's assistance Apr 14, 2006
"It was sort of a two-way inquiry: They wanted to build the facility up and collaborate with us, and we had three projects: the recombinant SEB, the recombinant protective antigen for Bacillus Anthracis and VEE vaccine.". Though the two institutes on Fort Detrick have very different missions, their collaborations have been beneficial. (dcmilitary.com)
Novel Vaccine Approach Stimulates Protective Immunity Against Listeria Mar 22, 2006
-- Anthrax, also referred to as splenic fever, is an acute infectious disease caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis and is highly lethal in some forms. Anthrax most commonly occurs in wild and. (Science Daily)
Tips from the journals of the American Society for Microbiology Mar 11, 2006
This approach was applied to Cryptococcus neoformans and Bacillus anthracis and results showed the method to be useful in determining the relative contributions of virulence factors in pathogenesis. "Multivariate linear regression can be used to identify the relative levels of importance of virulence factors in virulence studies, and this information can be used to prioritize antigen identification for vaccine development and the design of antimicrobial strategies that target virulence... (EurekAlert!)
Pennsylvania Department of Health Continues to Monitor Anthrax Case Feb 25, 2006
Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax most commonly occurs in wild and domestic lower vertebrates (cattle, sheep, goats, camels, antelopes and other herbivores), but it can also occur in humans when they are exposed to infected animals or tissue from infected animals. (PR Newswire)
