Abstract
There is a growing need for technological advancements to combat agents of chemical and biological warfare, particularly in the context of the deliberate use of a chemical and/or biological warfare agent by a terrorist organization. In this tutorial review, we describe methods that have been developed both for the specific detection of biological and chemical warfare agents in a field setting, as well as potential therapeutic approaches for treating exposure to these toxic species. In particular, nerve agents are described as a typical chemical warfare agent, and the two potent biothreat agents, anthrax and botulinum neurotoxin, are used as illustrative examples of potent weapons for which countermeasures are urgently needed.
Publication types
-
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
-
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
-
Review
MeSH terms
-
Anthrax / microbiology
-
Anthrax / prevention & control
-
Bacillus anthracis / isolation & purification
-
Biological Warfare / prevention & control*
-
Botulism / microbiology
-
Botulism / prevention & control
-
Chemical Warfare / prevention & control*
-
Chemical Warfare Agents* / analysis
-
Chemical Warfare Agents* / chemistry
-
Chemical Warfare Agents* / poisoning
-
Clostridium botulinum / isolation & purification
-
Decontamination / methods
-
Molecular Structure
-
Poisoning / diagnosis
-
Poisoning / prevention & control
-
Protective Agents / administration & dosage
-
Protective Agents / therapeutic use
Substances
-
Chemical Warfare Agents
-
Protective Agents