Abstract
Biological toxins are a heterogeneous group of high molecular as well as low molecular weight toxins produced by living organisms. Due to their physical and logistical properties, biological toxins are very attractive to terrorists for use in acts of bioterrorism. Therefore, among the group of biological toxins, several are categorized as security relevant, e.g., botulinum neurotoxins, staphylococcal enterotoxins, abrin, ricin or saxitoxin. Additionally, several security sensitive toxins also play a major role in natural food poisoning outbreaks. For a prompt response to a potential bioterrorist attack using biological toxins, first responders need reliable, easy-to-use and highly sensitive methodologies for on-site detection of the causative agent. Therefore, the aim of this review is to present on-site immunoassay platforms for multiplex detection of biological toxins. Furthermore, we introduce several commercially available detection technologies specialized for mobile or on-site identification of security sensitive toxins.
Highlights
Security sensitive toxins comprise a heterogeneous group of high and low molecular weight substances produced by living organisms and are noted for their ability to incapacitate or decimate human, animal and plant hosts
We introduce several commercially available detection technologies specialized for mobile or on-site identification of security sensitive toxins
2 Bioterrorism agents are classified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, Atlanta, GA, USA) into three categories depending upon their ease of dissemination and the ability to cause excessive morbidity and mortality
Summary
Security sensitive toxins comprise a heterogeneous group of high and low molecular weight substances produced by living organisms and are noted for their ability to incapacitate or decimate human, animal and plant hosts. Their common occurrence, ease of dissemination as well as the difficulty in their identification due to common illness symptoms after intoxication are attributes to make them potential biological warfare agents (BWAs). 2 Bioterrorism agents are classified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, Atlanta, GA, USA) into three categories depending upon their ease of dissemination and the ability to cause excessive morbidity and mortality.
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