title: [Biodefense: a new challenge for microbiology and public health].
abstract: Bioterrorism and the potential use of biological weapons has become an important concern of governments and responsible authorities. An example of this threat occurred in 2001 in the USA, when letters were sent containing spores of the agent that produces anthrax; this resulted in some deaths, and caused panic and negative effects on the world economy. If this small-scale event was able to cause such a huge impact, the repercussions of a massive attack could be catastrophic. In many countries, these events have resulted in the implementation of measures directed toward preventing and responding to bioterrorist threats and acts. As a whole, these measures are known as biodefense. This article briefly analyzes several aspects related to detecting and identifying acts of bioterrorism, and considers the biological agents that are implicated. The microbiological diagnosis that allows identification of the causal agent, a key point for taking suitable control measures, is also included.
authors.affiliation: rescude@isciii.es
authors.forename: M José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Buitrago Serna
authors.forename: Inmaculada
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Casas Flecha
authors.forename: José M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Eiros-Bouza
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Escudero Nieto
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Giovanni Fedele
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Jado García
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pozo Sánchez
authors.forename: José Miguel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Rubio Muñoz
authors.forename: M Paz
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Seco Fariñas
authors.forename: Sylvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Valdezate Ramos
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Verdejo Ortes
mesh_terms: D000881:Anthrax / Q000517:prevention & control; D023482:Bioterrorism; D002959:Civil Defense / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000635:transmission; D004189:Disaster Planning; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D006077:Government Agencies; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D008487:Medical History Taking; D008829:Microbiology / Q000639:trends*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011634:Public Health; D013030:Spain; D014118:Toxins, Biological / Q000032:analysis / Q000506:poisoning
chemical_list: D014118:Toxins, Biological