Abstract
Anthrax toxins are produced by Bacillus anthracis throughout infection and shape the physiopathogenesis of the disease. They are produced in low quantities but are highly efficient. They have thus been long ignored, but recent biochemical methods have improved our knowledge in animal models. This article reviews the various methods that have been used and how they could be applied to clinical diagnosis.
Highlights
Bacillus anthracis is a Gram-positive spore-forming bacterium, considered one of the most potent and critical bioterrorist agents, and subsequently is listed as Category A select agents by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Of of itnhdeMitvSriedautmalse.nLt.FTwhaessnamoHteudmpeatrneocftieledwinascoonbTvshoaernelreesvetstoecodfefonsufyrtomdsrpaeytaorsmuapfmstaetri(ednatywL1F6i,t2ht9o4a.3dnnatghy/mr2La8,xp),llaicskmoena feisrcmhianr[g5[25t]h6]e; efficacy lethal factor (LF) was detected in the acute plasma but not in the convalescent samplePsAo, 1f.8t1h&e 6p8.a73tinegn/mt.L, MALDTIR-TFAOfFotrwMPASof-osrtLeFp techniqueHubmaasned on LC-MTSw/ooMnasneSdt owefigsihythmt dopatuyosmtaasftnerimmuLnF,o0c.7a&psetr5uu7m.r9engs/tmeLp, was use[3d6]in a mouse model of cutaneous anthrax to understand the kinetics of LF duringseirnufmection [46] and in a mouse model of inhalation anthrax [57]
Only 29% and 38% of the mice were positive for LF and edema factor (EF) at the site of infection, respectively, the percentage increased to 94% positive mice for EF and/or LF
Summary
Bacillus anthracis is a Gram-positive spore-forming bacterium, considered one of the most potent and critical bioterrorist agents, and subsequently is listed as Category A select agents by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is responsible for anthrax, a zoonotic disease, mainly affecting herbivores, humans being only occasional hosts. Anthrax toxins are highly efficient, as most of their effects are biochemically amplified Their detection is very challenging, as the toxins are present in the blood at very low levels, below classical detection methods, and are not accessible to the genetic amplification methods used for molecular diagnosis. B. anthracis needs having sensitive, rapid, and scalable methods of detection of the organisms as of its toxins
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