Abstract
Bioterrorism is not only a reality of the times in which we live but bioweapons have been used for centuries. Critical care physicians play a major role in the recognition of and response to a bioterrorism attack. Critical care clinicians must be familiar with the diagnosis and management of the most likely bioterrorism agents, and also be adequately prepared to manage a mass casualty situation. This article reviews the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of the most likely agents of biowarfare and bioterrorism.
Keywords:
Anthrax; Bioterrorism; Bioweapon; Critical care; Mass casualty; Smallpox.
Crown Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Anthrax / diagnosis
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Anthrax / therapy
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Anthrax / transmission
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Biological Warfare Agents*
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Bioterrorism*
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Coccidioidomycosis / diagnosis
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Coccidioidomycosis / therapy
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Coccidioidomycosis / transmission
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Critical Care*
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Disease Outbreaks
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Hemorrhagic Fevers, Viral / diagnosis
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Hemorrhagic Fevers, Viral / therapy
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Hemorrhagic Fevers, Viral / transmission
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Humans
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Insecta / pathogenicity
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Mass Casualty Incidents*
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Noxae / analysis
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Noxae / poisoning
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Plague / diagnosis
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Plague / therapy
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Plague / transmission
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Q Fever / diagnosis
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Q Fever / therapy
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Q Fever / transmission
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Smallpox / diagnosis
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Smallpox / therapy
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Smallpox / transmission
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Toxins, Biological / analysis
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Toxins, Biological / poisoning
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Tularemia / diagnosis
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Tularemia / therapy
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Tularemia / transmission
Substances
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Biological Warfare Agents
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Noxae
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Toxins, Biological