Biodefense: Trends and challenges in combating biological warfare agents

摘要: The possibility of biological warfare and bioterrorism has become an increasing concern to both military planners civil defense authorities worldwide. Letters containing anthrax spores sent destinations within the US in 2001 brought sudden realization that is not merely a theoretical threat but real present danger. Although emergency preparedness response capabilities exist throughout Western hemisphere, focus availability resources deal with actual urgent health issues due been diverted.1 This new awareness motivated research community create at least two peer review journals biodefense also led extensive debate regarding how responses compare those for pandemics natural disasters.2 rigorous mobilization scientific community, comprehensive efforts, coordination resources, first generation medical countermeasures.3 A list microorganisms/biological agents pose highest risk national security public are classified as Category A select based on set considerations defined by Centers Disease Control generally approved similar agencies These share common alarming characteristics, they (1) highly morbid lethal; (2) infectious or toxic; (3) amenable wide distribution active form; (4) easily produced bulk stored until delivered; (5) reasonably hardy environment after distribution; (6) genetic engineering be resistant antibiotics. major challenge posed these includes, among others, treatment infected/contaminated individuals. Antibiotic-resistant microorganisms potentially near-ideal weapons.