Anthrax
Bacillus anthracis causes anthrax in all mammals, including humans. Depending upon the route of entry of B. anthracis spores, infection can result in cutaneous lesions, which are readily treatable with antibiotics, or systemic lethal disease, which is nea
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Editors R.W. Compans, Atlanta/Georgia M.D. Cooper, Birmingham/Alabama · Y. Ito, Singapore H. Koprowski, Philadelphia/Pensylvania F. Melchers, Basel · M.B.A. Oldstone, La Jolla/California S. Olsnes, Oslo · M. Potter, Bethesda/Maryland P.K. Vogt, La Jolla/California · H. Wagner, Munich
Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg GmbH
T.M. Koehler (Ed.)
Anthrax With 14 Figures
123
Theresa M. Koehler, Ph.D. Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas – Houston Medical School, 6431 Fannin Street, JFB 1.765, Houston, TX 77030, USA e-mail: [email protected] Cover Illustration: Crystallographic structure of a SDS-resistant PA63 heptamer that may represent a prepore conformation of the protective antigen component of anthrax toxin (R.J. Collier, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA). A phase micrograph of Bacillus anthracis cells and spores is shown in the background (E. Saile, University of Texas – Houston Medical School, Houston, TX).
ISSN 0070-217X ISBN 978-3-642-07799-9 DOI 10.1007/978-3-662-05767-4
ISBN 978-3-662-05767-4 (eBook)
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Preface
Bacillus anthracis is at once a microorganism of intriguing biology and historical significance. Since the pioneering work of Robert Koch and Louis Pasteur, strides in B. anthracis research have been matched with historical and political events. Devastating natural outbreaks of anthrax in domestic animals in Europe in the late 1800’s instigated the groundbreaking investigations of early microbiologists.A surge in anthrax research during World War II resulted from the perception that B. anthracis could be used as an effective bioweapon. Following the Biological Weapons Convention of 1972, active research waned until the accidental release of virulent B. anthracis spores from a Soviet military research facility in 1979. The current human cases of inhalation and cutaneous anthrax in the United States associated with intentional release of spores are likely to lead to another wave of intense study
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