title: Chemical warfare agents: their past and continuing threat and evolving therapies. Part II of II.
abstract: Chemical warfare agents are ideal weapons for terrorists and for use in military operations against both civilian populations and troops. Thus, there have been efforts by the United States in cooperation with other concerned nations to develop animal models to understand the pathophysiology of the injuries induced by these agents, and to develop suitable animal models for testing of pre-and post-exposure protectants and therapies. Sulfur mustard remains the most significant chemical warfare agent that produces cutaneous injuries. Institution of standard recommendations prior to threatened exposure or after exposure are something that we need to be aware of in the world we live in. In addition, pre-and post-exposure therapies now being studied offer hope for moderating the mortality and morbidity that can result from chemical exposure.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Dermatology and Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA.
authors.forename: Kathleen J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Skelton
mesh_terms: D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D003666:Decontamination; D017453:Dermatitis, Irritant / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009151:Mustard Gas / Q000633:toxicity*; D011322:Primary Prevention; D011379:Prognosis; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D023481:Terrorism; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D020011:Protective Agents; D009151:Mustard Gas