Bioterrorism Flashcards
What are good characteristics of bioweapons?
- Low cost
- Ability to aerosolize
- Easy to handle
- Easy to access
- Difficult to detect until disease has advanced
- Open-ended scale of predictable casualties
- Clandestine stockpiles & delivery systems
What is a major example of foodborne illness bioterrorism seen in 1984?
Used to influence local election
- Salmonella enterica and Typhimurium where used to contaminate salad bar items & coffee creamer at 12 nearby restaurants
- Used to influence a local election
Why is inhalation anthrax so dangerous?
80-90% fatal
Lethal dose = ~8,000 to 10,000 spores; 1 mL = 1,000,000,000 spores
What are the characteristics of bacillus anthracis?
- GP rod
- Spore forming (long life)
- “Box car” appearance w/ chains
- Polypeptide capsule (poly-D-glutamic acid)
What is true regarding anthrax spores affecting the lungs?
What about dormancy?
- Spores 1-5 microns
- Penetrate alveoli
- Germinate in 1-60 days
Some spores are killed but spores can overwhelm the immune system
What are the toxins associated w/ anthrax?
- EF: inhibits neutrophils
- LF: disrupts macrophage function
- PA
EF = edema; LF = lethal; PA = protective
What controls anthrax toxin expression?
Plasmid control (pXO1 & pXO2)
What is a possible bioterrorism agent used to cause what is pictured in the radiograph attached?
Pulmonary anthrax (mediastinal widening)
You are treating a politician who recently noticed the lesion pictured in the image. This lesion appeared after they authored a controversial bill. What is a possible Dx?
Cutaneous anthrax
Whom do Americans trust as a source of reliable information during a local outbreak of disease caused by bioterrorism?
Own doctor (77%)
{{BLANK}} is the largest virus infecting animals
Smallpox virus
Smallpox virus displays a {{BLANK}} dsDNA genome
linear
What type of polymerase is displayed by smallpox?
DNA-dependent RNA polymerase
Smallpox replicates in the {{BLANK}}
Cytoplasm
How would you describe smallpox rash?
Small, round, firm lesions all in the same stage of development
For vaccinia to be given to protect against smallpox you should give the vaccine within {{BLANK}} days of exposure
3 days after exposure
A patient comes to your clinic complaining of bumps along their forehead. You examine them (photo attached). After laboratory workup, you deduce the cause is DNA poxvirus. How is this virus transmitted?
Direct skin-to-skin contact
