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- Title
Rapid identification of genetic modifications in Bacillus anthracis using whole genome draft sequences generated by 454 pyrosequencing.
- Authors
Chen, Peter E; Willner, Kristin M; Butani, Amy; Dorsey, Shakia; George, Matroner; Stewart, Andrew; Lentz, Shannon M; Cook, Christopher E; Akmal, Arya; Price, Lance B; Keim, Paul S; Mateczun, Alfred; Brahmbhatt, Trupti N; Bishop-Lilly, Kimberly A; Zwick, Michael E; Read, Timothy D; Sozhamannan, Shanmuga
- Abstract
The anthrax letter attacks of 2001 highlighted the need for rapid identification of biothreat agents not only for epidemiological surveillance of the intentional outbreak but also for implementing appropriate countermeasures, such as antibiotic treatment, in a timely manner to prevent further casualties. It is clear from the 2001 cases that survival may be markedly improved by administration of antimicrobial therapy during the early symptomatic phase of the illness; i.e., within 3 days of appearance of symptoms. Microbiological detection methods are feasible only for organisms that can be cultured in vitro and cannot detect all genetic modifications with the exception of antibiotic resistance. Currently available immuno or nucleic acid-based rapid detection assays utilize known, organism-specific proteins or genomic DNA signatures respectively. Hence, these assays lack the ability to detect novel natural variations or intentional genetic modifications that circumvent the targets of the detection assays or in the case of a biological attack using an antibiotic resistant or virulence enhanced Bacillus anthracis, to advise on therapeutic treatments.
- Publication
PloS one, 2010, Vol 5, Issue 8, pe12397
- ISSN
1932-6203
- Publication type
Journal Article
- DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0012397