Rapid detection methods for Bacillus anthracis in environmental samples: a review

Bacillus anthracis is a Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium, which causes anthrax, an often lethal disease of animals and humans. Although the disease has been well studied since the nineteenth century, it has witnessed a renewed interest during the past decade, due to its use as a bioterrorist a...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied microbiology and biotechnology 2012-02, Vol.93 (4), p.1411-1422
Main Authors: Irenge, Léonid M., Gala, Jean-Luc
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amino acids
Analysis
Animal diseases
Anthrax
Antigens
Bacillus anthracis
Bacillus anthracis - isolation & purification
Bacteria
Bacteriological Techniques - methods
Biological & chemical terrorism
Biological Warfare Agents
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Biotechnology
Deoxyribonucleic acid
DNA
Edema
Environmental Microbiology
Genes
Identification
Laboratories
Life Sciences
Microbial Genetics and Genomics
Microbiology
Microorganisms
Mini-Review
Molecular Diagnostic Techniques - methods
Point-of-Care Systems
Proteins
Studies
Terrorism
Toxins
Virulence
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Bacillus anthracis is a Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium, which causes anthrax, an often lethal disease of animals and humans. Although the disease has been well studied since the nineteenth century, it has witnessed a renewed interest during the past decade, due to its use as a bioterrorist agent in the fall of 2001 in the USA. A number of techniques aimed at rapidly detecting B. anthracis , in environmental samples as well as in point-of-care settings for humans suspected of exposure to the pathogen, are now available. These technologies range from culture-based methods to portable DNA amplification devices. Despite recent developments, specific identification of B. anthracis still remains difficult because of its phenotypic and genotypic similarities with other Bacillus species. Accordingly, many efforts are being made to improve the specificity of B. anthracis identification. This mini-review discusses the current challenges around B. anthracis identification, not only in reach-back laboratories but also in the field (in operational conditions).
ISSN:0175-7598
1432-0614
DOI:10.1007/s00253-011-3845-7