title: PCR assay to detect Bacillus anthracis spores in heat-treated specimens.
abstract: Recent interest in anthrax is due to its potential use in bioterrorism and as a biowarfare agent against civilian populations. The development of rapid and sensitive techniques to detect anthrax spores in suspicious specimens is the most important aim for public health. With a view to preventing exposure of laboratory workers to viable Bacillus anthracis spores, this study evaluated the suitability of PCR assays for detecting anthrax spores previously inactivated at 121 degrees C for 45 min. The results indicate that heat treatment ensures the complete inactivation of B. anthracis spores without significantly affecting the efficiency of PCR assays.
authors.affiliation: Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, Foggia, Rome, Italy. antoniofasanella@interfree.it
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fasanella
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Losito
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Adone
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ciuchini
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Trotta
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Altamura
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chiocco
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ippolito
mesh_terms: D001408:Bacillus anthracis / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000502:physiology; D006358:Hot Temperature; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000302:isolation & purification