Office of Research and Development Publications

Physiological responses to a single low-dose of Bacillus anthracis spores in the rabbit model of inhalational anthrax

Citation:

Taft, S., T. Nichols, S. Hines, R. Barnewall, G. Stark, AND J. Comer. Physiological responses to a single low-dose of Bacillus anthracis spores in the rabbit model of inhalational anthrax. PATHOGENS. MDPI, Basel, Switzerland, 9(6):461, (2020). https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9060461

Impact/Purpose:

Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of inhalation anthrax, is one of the most highly studied biological threat agents, yet consensus is still lacking on an appropriate dose-response relationship to describe human health effects from low doses and multiple exposures. Dose-response relationships can be an important element in the development of protective actions and decontamination strategies after a release of a biological threat agent. This work described in the two companion papers summaries our Bacillus anthracis low dose and multiple low dose exposure studies measuring physiological responses in rabbits. These data support development of potential dose-response relationships to describe health effects. Anyone involved in the identification of environmental concentrations where protective actions may be necessary such as local and state public health agencies, environmental unit leaders, and risk assessors, can benefit from these data.

Description:

Journal Article--Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of inhalation anthrax, is one of the most highly studied biological threat agents, yet consensus is still lacking on an appropriate dose-response relationship to describe human health effects from low doses and multiple exposures.