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Anthrax: modern exposure science combats a deadly, ancient disease

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology volume 20, pages 573–574 (2010)Cite this article

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We now have the technology to detect and quantify anthrax toxin levels. This technology has tremendous promise for diagnosis at very early stages of disease and monitoring the efficacy of treatments, including those for disease arising from anthrax-related terrorist events.

Anthrax is a naturally occurring disease in many parts of the world, and it remains a bioterrorism threat. Inhalation anthrax has a mortality rate higher than 90% if untreated and is often deadly even with antibiotic therapy. During the anthrax-letter attacks of 2001, mortality was 45%, even with antibiotics and aggressive supportive care (Jernigan et al., 2002). Additionally, there is a “point of no return” during anthrax infection after which all traditional treatments may fail.

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References

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  • Boyer A.E ., Quinn C.P ., Hoffmaster A.R ., Kozel T.R ., Saile E ., Marston C.K . et al. Kinetics of lethal factor and poly-D-glutamic acid antigenemia during inhalation anthrax in rhesus macaques. Infect Immun 2009: 77: 3432–3241.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

    John R Barr, Anne E Boyer & Conrad P Quinn

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  1. John R Barr
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  2. Anne E Boyer
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  3. Conrad P Quinn
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Correspondence to John R Barr.

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Barr, J., Boyer, A. & Quinn, C. Anthrax: modern exposure science combats a deadly, ancient disease. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 20, 573–574 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/jes.2010.49

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