Abstract
Events following the attacks on New York City and Washington, DC on September 11, 2001, have served to underscore the need for extensive research on biological warfare (BW) and other agents in order to aid the initiative to fight terrorism worldwide. During the Cold War era, the former USSR covertly developed, tested, and stockpiled immense amounts of biological weapons in an effort to build the largest and most advanced biological warfare program in the world. The knowledge developed in these laboratories and manufacturing sites has since undoubtedly spread to other regimes and terrorist organizations. Research on these agents of bioterrorism concern is of highest priority to enhance diagnostic, preventative, and therapeutic measures. Pathogens that may be potentially adapted for biological warfare include those causing smallpox (Variola), anthrax (Bacillus anthracis), plague (Yersinia pestis), tularemia (Francisella tularensis), brucellosis (Brucella abortus, B. melitensis, B. suis, B. canis), Q fever (Coxiella burnetii), botulism (Clostridium botulinum), glanders (Burkholderia mallei), and enterotoxin B producing Staphylococcus spp. All of these agents constitute considerable threat to military personnel and civilians alike in the dreaded event of a bioterrorist affront.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
