Biological Warfare Weapon Research Articles

Development, Strategies, and Challenges for Tularemia Vaccine.

Francisella tularensis is a facultative intracellular bacterial pathogen that affects both humans and animals. It was developed into a biological warfare weapon as a result. In this article, the current status of tularemia vaccine development is presented. A live-attenuated vaccine that was designed over 50years ago using the less virulent F. tularensis subspecies holarctica is the only prophylactic currently available, but it has not been approved for use in humans or animals. Other promising live, killed, and subunit vaccine candidates have recently been developed and tested in animal models. This study will investigate some possible vaccines and the challenges they face during development.

Immunoinformatic analysis of the whole proteome for vaccine design: An application to Clostridium perfringens.

Clostridium perfringens is a dangerous bacterium and known biological warfare weapon associated with several diseases, whose lethal toxins can produce necrosis in humans. However, there is no safe and fully effective vaccine against C. perfringens for humans yet. To address this problem, we computationally screened its whole proteome, identifying highly immunogenic proteins, domains, and epitopes. First, we identified that the proteins with the highest epitope density are Collagenase A, Exo-alpha-sialidase, alpha n-acetylglucosaminidase and hyaluronoglucosaminidase, representing potential recombinant vaccine candidates. Second, we further explored the toxins, finding that the non-toxic domain of Perfringolysin O is enriched in CTL and HTL epitopes. This domain could be used as a potential sub-unit vaccine to combat gas gangrene. And third, we designed a multi-epitope protein containing 24 HTL-epitopes and 34 CTL-epitopes from extracellular regions of transmembrane proteins. Also, we analyzed the structural properties of this novel protein using molecular dynamics. Altogether, we are presenting a thorough immunoinformatic exploration of the whole proteome of C. perfringens, as well as promising whole-protein, domain-based and multi-epitope vaccine candidates. These can be evaluated in preclinical trials to assess their immunogenicity and protection against C. perfringens infection.

Coronavirus Is a Biological Warfare Weapon

Dr. Francis Boyle, who drafted the Biological Weapons Act has given a detailed statement admitting that the 2019 Wuhan Coronavirus is an offensive Biological Warfare Weapon and that the World Health Organization (WHO) already knows about it. Francis Boyle is a professor of international law at the University of Illinois College of Law. He drafted the U.S. domestic implementing legislation for the Biological Weapons Convention, known as the Biological Weapons Anti-Terrorism Act of 1989, that was approved unanimously by both Houses of the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President George H.W. Bush.

Coronavirus Is A Biological Warfare Weapon

Dr. Francis Boyle, who drafted the Biological Weapons Act has given a detailed statement admitting that the 2019 Wuhan Coronavirus is an offensive Biological Warfare Weapon and that the World Health Organization (WHO) already knows about it. Francis Boyle is a professor of international law at the University of Illinois College of Law. He drafted the U.S. domestic implementing legislation for the Biological Weapons Convention, known as the Biological Weapons Anti-Terrorism Act of 1989, that was approved unanimously by both Houses of the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President George H.W. Bush.

Coronavirus Is A Biological Warfare Weapon

Dr. Francis Boyle, who drafted the Biological Weapons Act has given a detailed statement admitting that the 2019 Wuhan Coronavirus is an offensive Biological Warfare Weapon and that the World Health Organization (WHO) already knows about it. Francis Boyle is a professor of international law at the University of Illinois College of Law. He drafted the U.S. domestic implementing legislation for the Biological Weapons Convention, known as the Biological Weapons Anti-Terrorism Act of 1989, that was approved unanimously by both Houses of the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President George H.W. Bush.

Coronavirus is A Biological Warfare Weapon

Dr. Francis Boyle, who drafted the Biological Weapons Act has given a detailed statement admitting that the 2019 Wuhan Coronavirus is an offensive Biological Warfare Weapon and that the World Health Organization (WHO) already knows about it. Francis Boyle is a professor of international law at the University of Illinois College of Law. He drafted the U.S. domestic implementing legislation for the Biological Weapons Convention, known as the Biological Weapons Anti-Terrorism Act of 1989, that was approved unanimously by both Houses of the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President George H.W. Bush.

SARS-cov-2 is a biological warfare weapon

SARS-cov-2 is a biological warfare weapon

Gene Profiles of Host Biological Processes Targeted by Yersinia pestis

Yesrsinia pestis is a gram negative bacterium and is the causative agent of the bacterial disease plague. The bacterium is transmitted to humans via the bite of an infected flea or by inhalation of aerosolized infective droplets. Y.pestis causes deadly acute infection and has the ability to genetically manipulate the host and can potentially be used as a biological warfare weapon. Due to this it has been placed on the category A select agent list. One of the most important steps that will allow us to diagnosis plague early and quickly is understanding the early host responses at the molecular level. Our research focuses on defining the molecular events/network systems involved in the host‐pathogen interactions to identify biomarkers and therapeutic targets for pathogenic agents.We exposed non‐human primates by aerosol to CO92 Y. pestis/sham at different lengths of time. We have collected whole blood, plasma, Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) and various tissues from infected and control NHPs. RNA is isolated using the TRIZOL method and overall RNA integrity was confirmed by spectrophotometery and the Agilent 2100 bioanalyzer. Using gene expression microarray, microRNA microarray and miRNA real time PCR, we have identified genes that were differentially expressed in reponse to the pathogen. Functional annotaion of these genes revelealed an enrichement in genes coding for the transcription HIF‐1 pathway, molecular transport and apoptosis in Y.pestis infected monkeys. These findings provide a better understanding of the systemic progression of illness and a more in‐depth characterization of the dynamics of regulatory networks that are vital in the host‐pathogen interactions. Our aim is to eventually identify markers that will predict the eventual course of impending illness.

English

Defence personnel face multiple threats from different quarters, like terrorist groups and rogue nations, who own not only advanced lethal weapons but also chemical and biological warfare weapons. The present day protective clothing system used by the defence sector is vulnerable to modern weapons and also have some inherent weaknesses like high cost, bulkiness and discomfort in wearing. Nanotechnology- based materials offer a promising future in this areadue to their extraordinary physical, chemical, mechanical, and electrical properties at nano-level.This paper outlines the various developments related to the application of nanotechnology inproducing lightweight and comfortable protective clothing for the military personnel and also some new developments like sensor, energy storage, conductivity, and decontaminant fabrics.Defence Science Journal, 2008, 58(4), pp.451-459, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.58.1667

Characterization of a mouse model of plague after aerosolization of Yersinia pestis CO92

Yersinia pestis is a Gram-negative bacterium, and the causative agent of bubonic plague and pneumonic plague. Because of its potential use as a biological warfare weapon, the plague bacterium has been placed on the list of category A select agents. The dynamics of pneumonic infection following aerosolization of the highly virulent Y. pestis CO92 strain have been poorly studied; therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the LD(50) dose, bacterial dissemination, cytokine/chemokine production and tissue damage in Swiss-Webster mice over a 72 h course of infection. We exposed mice in a whole-body Madison chamber to various doses of Y. pestis CO92 aerosolized by a Collison nebulizer, and determined that the LD(50) presented dose (Dp) of the bacterium in the lungs was 2.1 x 10(3) c.f.u. In a subsequent study, we infected mice at a Dp of 1.3 x 10(4) c.f.u., and harvested organs and blood at 1, 24, 48 and 72 h post-infection. Histopathological examination, in addition to measurement of bacterial dissemination and cytokine/chemokine analysis, indicated progressive tissue injury, and an increased number of animals succumbing to infection over the course of the experiment. Using these data, we were able to characterize the mouse plague model following aerosolization of Y. pestis CO92.

A Novel Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibody Against Cell-Binding Polypeptide of Ricin

One strain of neutralizing monoclonal antibody (MAb) against cell-binding polypeptide of ricin, named 3E1, was generated efficiently. The antibody recognized the linearity epitope of RTB located in a toxin structure domain characterized by Western blotting. The safe period of mice for intraperitoneal injection of 100 microg of antibody was 20 min after intraperitoneal injection of 2 microg of Ricin (10 times LD50). The neutralizing MAb we obtained could be developed into an immunotherapeutic agent to counteract the use of ricin as a terrorist or biological warfare weapon. It might be useful, as well, for antibody-based prophylaxis.

Hantavirus

When hantaviruses hit the headlines with the advent in May 1993 of a new disease in the USA, and later in the New World from Canada to south Argentina, called “hantavirus pulmonary syndrome” (HPS), speculations in the lay press rose from the very beginning around the possibilities of a biological warfare (BW) weapon. Indeed, the responsible agent of HPS, hantavirus, was almost unknown at that moment in the New World, was airborne, seemed to target preferentially young adults, and induced a devastating cardio-pulmonary collapse with a high case-fatality rate (50%), often within hours. It quickly became clear, however, that the same scourge had been known for many years in the Old World under different and mostly milder presentations. With the rapidly increasing knowledge about hantaviruses, it also became clear that they lack many of the potentials of an “ideal” BW weapon, as will be explained in this paper.

Inhalational anthrax: threat, clinical presentation, and treatment.

To provide nurse practitioners (NPs) with a basic understanding of clinical presentation, transmission, diagnosis, pharmacological treatment, and post-exposure prophylaxis of inhalational anthrax. Selected research and clinical articles and government guidelines. Inhalational anthrax has an incubation period of 1 to 6 days and is very difficult to diagnose early. The chest radiograph consistently reveals a widened mediastinum and pleural effusion without infiltrates. Mortality for inhalational anthrax is high, despite aggressive treatment after onset of symptoms. Delays in diagnosis contribute to the high mortality rate. The potential use of aerosolized anthrax as a biological warfare weapon has renewed interest in inhalational anthrax. Primary care providers are cornerstones in the defense against biological weapons because they may be the first to recognize and report suspicious cases.

Identification and characterization of a monoclonal antibody that neutralizes ricin toxicity in vitro and in vivo.

We wanted to identify and characterize MAbs with specificity for the toxic lectin ricin, which could serve as detection reagents in elucidating mechanisms and tissue distribution. Neutralizing MAbs could be developed into immunotherapeutics to reverse clinical intoxications from immunotoxin or to counteract the use of ricin as a terrorist or biological warfare weapon. Two hybridomas, UNIVAX 70 and 138, producing MAbs against ricin were identified by Western blot strip analysis. The antibodies were IgG1 and were specific for the ricin A chain with no ricin B chain cross-reactivity. The MAbs neutralized ricin in vitro in an EL-4 mouse leukemia cell assay and in an in vivo mouse model. The two antibodies recognized the same epitope or overlapping epitopes, based on a competition with one another. All further characterization proceeded on the assumption that they were the same. The MAb UNIVAX 70/138 was characterized in vivo by titrating it against an 18 micrograms/kg (> six LD50) i.v. challenge and by titrating the i.v. toxin challenge against a constant dose of 100 micrograms of passive antibody per mouse. A 4:1 molar ratio of MAb to ricin led to neutralization of > or = 90% of the toxin in vitro. The MAb recognized ricin toxoid prepared by formaldehyde treatment and after conjugation of low molecular weight haptens (based on ELISA) equally as well as it recognized ricin and ricin A chain. The affinity and specificity of UNIVAX 70/138 give it excellent reagent potential, and the toxin-neutralizing capacity makes it at least a log and a half better than the next best candidate immunotherapeutic.