title: [The dirty dozen].
abstract: The term "the dirty dozen" refers to the 12 biological agents such as, for example, the anthrax bacillus or botulinum toxin that could be used as biological weapons. Even if their military use is considered unlikely physicians should be familiar with the problematic because these pathogens can also occur naturally or, respectively, cause disease as the consequence of a laboratory accident. It is of decisive importance to make the diagnosis as quickly as possible in order to limit any further spread of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Anästhesie und Intensivmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Giessen und Marburg GmbH, Standort Marburg.
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kerwat
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: Hinnerk
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wulf
mesh_terms: D054045:Biological Warfare Agents / Q000145:classification*; D023482:Bioterrorism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D054045:Biological Warfare Agents