Neuroterrorism preparedness for the neurohospitalist - Ralston MSA, Murray MBP, Vela-Duarte D, Orjuela KD, Pastula DM.
In this review article, we highlight several potential biologic and chemical agents of "neuroterrorism" of which neurohospitalists should be aware: anthrax, botulism toxin, brucella, plague, smallpox, organophosphates and nerve agents, cyanide, and carfent... (Source: SafetyLit)
Source: SafetyLit - June 29, 2019 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Tags: Disaster Preparedness Source Type: news
Evaluation of Analytical Methods for the Detection of Bacillus Anthracis Spores: Compatibility With Real-World Samples Collected from Outdoor and Subway Surfaces
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Homeland Security Research Center (NHSRC). Published: 6/2019.
This 255-page report provides information about an effort that sought to assess the impact of potential real-world interferents present in sponge-stick and vacuum cassettes samples on current culture and molecular analysis methods for the detection of bacillus anthracis spores. Having an assessment of the impact, if any, will help EPA understand limitations of the current methods for contaminant spread and extent mapping, and identify possible opportunities or needs for m...
Source: Disaster Lit: Resource Guide for Disaster Medicine and Public Health - June 1, 2019 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news
South Africa: Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries On Anthrax Outbreaks in Lesotho
[Govt of SA] The Veterinary Authority of Lesotho has reported three anthrax outbreaks to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). The first outbreak started on 12 May 2019 and a total of 24 cattle were reported to have died of anthrax. (Source: AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine)
Source: AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine - May 30, 2019 Category: African Health Source Type: news
Do YOU live in an area at-risk of anthrax?
Although it is considered a rare disease, a study by The National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center in Maryland, reveals up to 1.83billion people may be exposed to the anthrax bacteria. (Source: the Mail online | Health)
Source: the Mail online | Health - May 16, 2019 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Anthrax Is a Risk on Every Continent
WEDNESDAY, May 15, 2019 -- About 63 million people worldwide who work with livestock are in regions vulnerable to anthrax, according to a new study.
And more than 1.8 billion people are at risk in those regions -- including rural areas in Europe,... (Source: Drugs.com - Daily MedNews)
Source: Drugs.com - Daily MedNews - May 15, 2019 Category: General Medicine Source Type: news
Full-Scale Decontamination of Bacillus Spores from Drinking Water Infrastructure
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Homeland Security Research Center (NHSRC). Published: 5/2019.
The results presented in this eight-page technical brief show that several infrastructure decontamination technologies are effective at killing spores of the causative agent of anthrax (Bacillus anthracis spores) and removing them from drinking water infrastructure when tested at a full scale. The report describes research to examine full-scale decontamination of Bacillus spores from drinking water infrastructure after a contamination event with B. globigii, a nonpathogen...
Source: Disaster Lit: Resource Guide for Disaster Medicine and Public Health - May 1, 2019 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news
Feasibility Study for Reuse of Activated Carbon for the Capture of Methyl Bromide Used for Decontamination
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Homeland Security Research Center (NHSRC). Published: 5/2019.
This 64-page document describes a study that quantified how well an activated carbon (AC) sample maintained its adsorption capacity for methyl bromide (MeBr) over several adsorption/desorption cycles, using three different gas conditions. Methyl bromide fumigation has been shown to be effective in decontaminating buildings contaminated with Bacillus anthracis (Ba) spores.
(PDF) (Source: Disaster Lit: Resource Guide for Disaster Medicine and Public Health)
Source: Disaster Lit: Resource Guide for Disaster Medicine and Public Health - May 1, 2019 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news
Anthrax is killing wildlife, and it's putting humans at risk, too
A suspected anthrax outbreak is raising alarm at Lake Nakuru National Park in Kenya after the sudden deaths of 10 buffalo since last month, and officials are working to make sure the outbreak doesn't put humans at risk. (Source: CNN.com - Health)
Source: CNN.com - Health - April 10, 2019 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Functional degradation: A mechanism of NLRP1 inflammasome activation by diverse pathogen enzymes
In this study, we find that cleavage results in proteasome-mediated degradation of the amino-terminal domains of NLRP1B, liberating a carboxyl-terminal fragment that is a potent caspase-1 activator. Proteasome-mediated degradation of NLRP1B is both necessary and sufficient for NLRP1B activation. Consistent with our functional degradation model, we identify IpaH7.8, a Shigella flexneri ubiquitin ligase secreted effector, as an enzyme that induces NLRP1B degradation and activation. Our results provide a unified mechanism for NLRP1B activation by diverse pathogen-encoded enzymatic activities. (Source: ScienceNOW)
Source: ScienceNOW - April 3, 2019 Category: Science Authors: Sandstrom, A., Mitchell, P. S., Goers, L., Mu, E. W., Lesser, C. F., Vance, R. E. Tags: Immunology, Online Only r-articles Source Type: news
N-terminal degradation activates the NLRP1B inflammasome
In this study, we used genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screens to identify genes required for NLRP1B-mediated pyroptosis. We discovered that lethal factor induces cell death via the N-end rule proteasomal degradation pathway. Lethal factor directly cleaves NLRP1B, inducing the N-end rule–mediated degradation of the NLRP1B N terminus and freeing the NLRP1B C terminus to activate caspase-1. DPP8/9 inhibitors also induce proteasomal degradation of the NLRP1B N terminus but not via the N-end rule pathway. Thus, N-terminal degradation is the common activation mechanism of this innate immune sensor. (Source: ScienceNOW)
Source: ScienceNOW - April 3, 2019 Category: Science Authors: Chui, A. J., Okondo, M. C., Rao, S. D., Gai, K., Griswold, A. R., Johnson, D. C., Ball, D. P., Taabazuing, C. Y., Orth, E. L., Vittimberga, B. A., Bachovchin, D. A. Tags: Immunology reports Source Type: news
Extending Expiration Dates of Doxycycline Tablets and Capsules in Strategic Stockpiles: Guidance for Government Public Health and Emergency Response Stakeholders
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Published: 4/2019.
This 22-page document provides final guidance to government stakeholders on testing to extend the expiration date —under section 564A(b) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act —of stockpiled doxycycline tablets and capsules for public health emergency preparedness and response purposes for an anthrax emergency. It applies to both doxycycline monohydrate and doxycycline hyclate tablets and capsules equivalent to 50 mg and 100 mg of doxycycline that are indicated for post -exposure prophylaxis (PEP) or treatment of inhalational anthrax.
(PD...
Source: Disaster Lit: Resource Guide for Disaster Medicine and Public Health - April 1, 2019 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news
Bench-Scale Procedure for Evaluating Chlorine Bleach Inactivation of Bacillus Spores in Wash Water from a Cleanup of a Site with Biothreat Agents
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Homeland Security Research Center (NHSRC). Published: 4/2019.
This 47-page document describes a bench-scale procedure for testing the efficacy of chlorine bleach for the inactivation of Bacillus spores in wash water generated during a cleanup of a site contaminated with Bacillus anthracis spores, the causative agent of anthrax. Full-scale procedures exist for the treatment of such wash water with chlorine bleach, and these procedures have been tested and the results published. The published results were generated by testing the effi...
Source: Disaster Lit: Resource Guide for Disaster Medicine and Public Health - April 1, 2019 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news
FDA Classifies Anthrax Tests as Class II with Controls
FDA issued a final rule classifying in vitro diagnostic devices for the detection of Bacillus anthracis (the bacteria that causes anthrax) into class II (moderate-risk) with special controls, which means the agency will continue to require a 510(k) premarket notification for these devices.
âAnthrax is a bioterrorism threat because the spores are resistant to destruction and can be spread by release in the air. Exposure to anthrax can and has caused serious injury or death," said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD, who is expected to resign soon.
Gottlieb sa...
Source: MDDI - March 29, 2019 Category: Medical Devices Authors: Amanda Pedersen Tags: Regulatory and Compliance IVD Source Type: news
Novel Checklist Can Distinguish Anthrax Exposure From Other Illnesses
Checklist could minimize need for diagnostic testing after known or suspected population exposure (Source: Pulmonary Medicine News - Doctors Lounge)
Source: Pulmonary Medicine News - Doctors Lounge - March 19, 2019 Category: Respiratory Medicine Tags: Dermatology, Family Medicine, Gastroenterology, Infections, Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Neurology, Nursing, Pediatrics, Pulmonology, Journal, Source Type: news
Novel Checklist Can Distinguish Anthrax Exposure From Other Illnesses
TUESDAY, March 19, 2019 -- A newly developed checklist can rapidly identify anthrax cases after a suspected mass exposure, according to a study published online March 19 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Nathaniel Hupert, M.D., M.P.H., from the... (Source: Drugs.com - Pharma News)
Source: Drugs.com - Pharma News - March 19, 2019 Category: Pharmaceuticals Source Type: news