title: Current methods for the rapid diagnosis of bioterrorism-related infectious agents.
abstract: Bioterrorism is the calculated use of violence against civilians to attain political, religious, or ideologic goals using weapons of biological warfare. Bioterrorism is of particular concern because these weapons can be manufactured with ease and do not require highly sophisticated technology. Moreover, biologic agents can be delivered and spread easily and can effect a large population and geographic area. The terrorist attacks occurring around the world necessitate society's continued investment in adequate defense against these unpredictable and irrational events.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, and Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.
authors.forename: Jiang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Andrea J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Kraft
authors.forename: Kelly J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Henrickson
mesh_terms: D023482:Bioterrorism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000379:methods*; D019937:Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures; D004189:Disaster Planning; D006801:Humans; D015980:Public Health Practice