[Bioterrorism and pathogenic microorganisms].
In recent years the use of pathogenic microorganisms in acts of bioterrorism has been the subject of major concern in many countries. This paper presents a possible application of viruses and bacteria for warfare and terrorist purposes, as well as a laboratory diagnosis to identify those agents. The viruses of smallpox (orthopoxvirus), of hemorrhagic fever and those belonging to filovirus have been highlighted, inter alia, as agents of human infection with bioterrorist intent. Among the bacteria, the emphasis has been on anthrax (Bacillus anthracis), the plague (Yersinia pestis), botulism (Clostridium botulinum) and tularemia (Francisella tularensis), not to mention ricin (Ricinus communis), as one of the Group B agents.
Hermann G
HG
Schatzmayr
Laboratório de Morfologia e Morfogênese Viral, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Brasil, Rio de JanerioRJ, Pesquisadora do Laboratório de Morfologia e Morfogênese Viral/Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Av. Brasil, 4365/Pavilhão Hélio e Peggy Pereira 21040-900 - Rio de Janerio - RJ - Brasil.barth@ioc.fiocruz.br.
Ortrud Monika
OM
Barth