title: The need for continued development of ricin countermeasures.
abstract: Ricin toxin, an extremely potent and heat-stable toxin produced from the bean of the ubiquitous Ricinus communis (castor bean plant), has been categorized by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a category B biothreat agent that is moderately easy to disseminate. Ricin has the potential to be used as an agent of biological warfare and bioterrorism. Therefore, there is a critical need for continued development of ricin countermeasures. A safe and effective prophylactic vaccine against ricin that was FDA approved for "at risk" individuals would be an important first step in assuring the availability of medical countermeasures against ricin.
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Medicine, Clinical Research Management Inc., Team Ke'aki Tech, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter Street, Fort Detrick, MD 21702-5011, USA.
authors.forename: Ronald B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Reisler
authors.forename: Leonard A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Smith