Bacillus anthracis, Francisella tularensis and Yersinia pestis. The most important bacterial warfare agents - review

Folia Microbiol (Praha). 2009;54(4):263-72. doi: 10.1007/s12223-009-0046-1. Epub 2009 Oct 14.

Abstract

There are three most important bacterial causative agents of serious infections that could be misused for warfare purposes: Bacillus anthracis (the causative agent of anthrax) is the most frequently mentioned one; however, Fracisella tularensis (causing tularemia) and Yersinia pestis (the causative agent of plague) are further bacterial agents enlisted by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention into the category A of potential biological weapons. This review intends to summarize basic information about these bacterial agents. Military aspects of their pathogenesis and the detection techniques suitable for field use are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anthrax / microbiology
  • Bacillus anthracis* / isolation & purification
  • Bacillus anthracis* / pathogenicity
  • Biological Warfare
  • Biological Warfare Agents*
  • Francisella tularensis* / isolation & purification
  • Francisella tularensis* / pathogenicity
  • Humans
  • Plague / microbiology
  • Tularemia / microbiology
  • United States
  • Yersinia pestis* / isolation & purification
  • Yersinia pestis* / pathogenicity

Substances

  • Biological Warfare Agents