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Sabra DM, Krin A, Romeral AB, Frieß JL, Jeremias G. Anthrax revisited: how assessing the unpredictable can improve biosecurity. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1215773. [PMID: 37795173 PMCID: PMC10546327 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1215773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
B. anthracis is one of the most often weaponized pathogens. States had it in their bioweapons programs and criminals and terrorists have used or attempted to use it. This study is motivated by the narrative that emerging and developing technologies today contribute to the amplification of danger through greater easiness, accessibility and affordability of steps in the making of an anthrax weapon. As states would have way better preconditions if they would decide for an offensive bioweapons program, we focus on bioterrorism. This paper analyzes and assesses the possible bioterrorism threat arising from advances in synthetic biology, genome editing, information availability, and other emerging, and converging sciences and enabling technologies. Methodologically we apply foresight methods to encourage the analysis of contemporary technological advances. We have developed a conceptual six-step foresight science framework approach. It represents a synthesis of various foresight methodologies including literature review, elements of horizon scanning, trend impact analysis, red team exercise, and free flow open-ended discussions. Our results show a significant shift in the threat landscape. Increasing affordability, widespread distribution, efficiency, as well as ease of use of DNA synthesis, and rapid advances in genome-editing and synthetic genomic technologies lead to an ever-growing number and types of actors who could potentially weaponize B. anthracis. Understanding the current and future capabilities of these technologies and their potential for misuse critically shapes the current and future threat landscape and underlines the necessary adaptation of biosecurity measures in the spheres of multi-level political decision making and in the science community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dunja Manal Sabra
- Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker-Centre for Science and Peace Research (ZNF), University of Hamburg, Bogenallee, Hamburg, Germany
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2
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Tyśkiewicz R, Fedorowicz M, Nakonieczna A, Zielińska P, Kwiatek M, Mizak L. Electrochemical, optical and mass-based immunosensors: A comprehensive review of Bacillus anthracis detection methods. Anal Biochem 2023; 675:115215. [PMID: 37343693 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2023.115215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
A biosensor is an analytical device whose main components include transducer and bioreceptor segments. The combination of biological recognition with the ligand is followed by transformation into physical or chemical signals. Many publications describe biological sensors as user-friendly, easy, portable, and less time-consuming than conventional methods. Among major categories of methods for the detection of Bacillus anthracis, such as culture-based microbiological method, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), microarray-based techniques sensors with bioreceptors have been highlighted which particular emphasis is placed on herein. There are several types of biosensors based on various chemical or physical transducers (e.g., electrochemical, optical, piezoelectric, thermal or magnetic electrodes) and the type of biological materials used (e.g., enzymes, nucleic acids, antibodies, cells, phages or tissues). In recent decades, antibody-based sensors have increasingly gained popularity due to their reliability, sensitivity and rapidness. The fundamental principle of antibody-based sensors is mainly based on the molecular recognition between antigens and antibodies. Therefore, immunosensors that detect B. anthracis surface antigens can provide a rapid tool for detecting anthrax bacilli and spores, especially in situ. This review provides a comprehensive summary of immunosensor-based methods using electrochemical, optical, and mass-based transducers to detect B. anthracis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Tyśkiewicz
- Analytical Laboratory, Łukasiewicz Research Network - New Chemical Syntheses Institute, Aleja Tysiąclecia Państwa Polskiego 13a, 24-110, Puławy, Poland.
| | - Magdalena Fedorowicz
- Biological Threats Identification and Countermeasure Centre, Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Lubelska 4, 24-100, Puławy, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Nakonieczna
- Biological Threats Identification and Countermeasure Centre, Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Lubelska 4, 24-100, Puławy, Poland
| | - Paulina Zielińska
- Biological Threats Identification and Countermeasure Centre, Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Lubelska 4, 24-100, Puławy, Poland
| | - Magdalena Kwiatek
- Biological Threats Identification and Countermeasure Centre, Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Lubelska 4, 24-100, Puławy, Poland
| | - Lidia Mizak
- Biological Threats Identification and Countermeasure Centre, Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Lubelska 4, 24-100, Puławy, Poland
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Xu J, Bai X, Zhang X, Yuan B, Lin L, Guo Y, Cui Y, Liu J, Cui H, Ren X, Wang J, Yuan Y. Development and application of DETECTR-based rapid detection for pathogenic Bacillusanthracis. Anal Chim Acta 2023; 1247:340891. [PMID: 36781250 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2023.340891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis (B. anthracis) is a gram-positive bacterium responsible for the acute disease anthrax. Rapid and reliable identification of pathogenic B. anthracis is important in the detection of natural infectious disease cases or bio-threats. Herein, a DNA endonuclease targeted CRISPR trans reporter (DETECTR) detection platform based on recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) was studied. The DETECTR system targeted three sequences from B. anthracis (the BA_5345 chromosomal specific marker, the protective antigen gene pag A from pXO1 plasmid and the capsule-biosynthesis-related gene cap A from pXO2 plasmid). We developed a rapid (<40 min), easy-to-implement and accurate identification method for of B. anthracis nucleic acid with near two-copies sensitivity. The combination of tripartite primer sets is effective for the reliable identification of B. anthracis but also for fast screening of pathogenic strains. More importantly, DETECTR correctly detected simulated clinical blood samples and firstly detected positive samples collected from the location of world War-II site, preserved at north-east China (45°36'55.940″ N, 126°38'33.738″ E) with high sensitivity and specificity. Our study provides insight into the DETECTR-based detection of B. anthracis. We present a novel screening and diagnostic option for pathogenic B. anthracis that can be performed on a user-friendly portable device. Based on its proven reliability, sensitivity, specificity and simplicity, our proposed method can be readily adapted to detect pathogenic B. anthracis, anthrax and biothreats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Xinru Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Xianglilan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Bing Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Lei Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Yan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Yujun Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Jinxiong Liu
- Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, 150009, China
| | - Hongyu Cui
- Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, 150009, China
| | - Xiangang Ren
- Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, 150009, China
| | - Jinglin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing, 100071, China.
| | - Yuan Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing, 100071, China.
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Doganay M, Dinc G, Kutmanova A, Baillie L. Human Anthrax: Update of the Diagnosis and Treatment. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13061056. [PMID: 36980364 PMCID: PMC10046981 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13061056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Anthrax is one of the most important zoonotic diseases which primarily infects herbivores and occasionally humans. The etiological agent is Bacillus anthracis which is a Gram-positive, aerobic, spore-forming, nonmotile, rod-shaped bacillus. The spores are resistant to environmental conditions and remain viable for a long time in contaminated soil, which is the main reservoir for wild and domestic mammals. Infections still occur in low-income countries where they cause suffering and economic hardship. Humans are infected by contact with ill or dead animals, contaminated animal products, directly exposed to the spores in the environment or spores released as a consequence of a bioterrorist event. Three classical clinical forms of the disease, cutaneous, gastrointestinal and inhalation, are seen, all of which can potentially lead to sepsis or meningitis. A new clinical form in drug users has been described recently and named “injectional anthrax” with high mortality (>33%). The symptoms of anthrax in the early stage mimics many diseases and as a consequence it is important to confirm the diagnosis using a bacterial culture or a molecular test. With regards to treatment, human isolates are generally susceptible to most antibiotics with penicillin G and amoxicillin as the first choice, and ciprofloxacin and doxycycline serving as alternatives. A combination of one or more antibiotics is suggested in systemic anthrax. Controlling anthrax in humans depends primarily on effective control of the disease in animals. Spore vaccines are used in veterinary service, and an acellular vaccine is available for humans but its use is limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Doganay
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Lokman Hekim University, 06510 Ankara, Turkey
- Correspondence:
| | - Gokcen Dinc
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, 38039 Kayseri, Turkey;
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Genome and Stem Cell Center, Erciyes University, 38280 Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Ainura Kutmanova
- Department of Infectious Diseases, International Higher School of Medicine, Bishkek 720010, Kyrgyzstan;
| | - Les Baillie
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3NB, UK;
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Gonçalves S, Martins IC, Santos NC. Nanoparticle‐peptide conjugates for bacterial detection and neutralization: Potential applications in diagnostics and therapy. WIRES NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY 2022; 14:e1819. [DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sónia Gonçalves
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina Universidade de Lisboa Lisbon Portugal
| | - Ivo C. Martins
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina Universidade de Lisboa Lisbon Portugal
| | - Nuno C. Santos
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina Universidade de Lisboa Lisbon Portugal
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Murtaza G, Rizvi AS, Qiu L, Xue M, Meng Z. Aptamer empowered hydrogels: Fabrication and bio‐sensing applications. J Appl Polym Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/app.52441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ghulam Murtaza
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology Beijing China
| | - Aysha Sarfraz Rizvi
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology Beijing China
| | - Lili Qiu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology Beijing China
| | - Min Xue
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology Beijing China
| | - Zihui Meng
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology Beijing China
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Yasmeen N, Jabbar A, Shah T, Fang LX, Aslam B, Naseeb I, Shakeel F, Ahmad HI, Baloch Z, Liu Y. One Health Paradigm to Confront Zoonotic Health Threats: A Pakistan Prospective. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:719334. [PMID: 35211097 PMCID: PMC8861076 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.719334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence and re-emergence of zoonotic diseases significantly impact human health, particularly those who live in impoverished areas and have close contact with domestic or wild animals. Nearly 75% of zoonotic diseases are transmitted directly from animals to humans or indirectly via vector/agent interactions between animals and humans. Growing populations, globalization, urbanization, and the interaction of the environment with humans and livestock all play roles in the emergence and spread of zoonotic diseases. "One Health" is a multidisciplinary concept aimed at improving human, animal, and environmental health, but this concept is not widely accepted in developing countries. In Pakistan, environmental, human, and animal health are severely affected due to a lack of sufficient resources. This review article provides an overview of the most common zoonotic diseases found in Pakistan and emphasizes the importance of the "One Health" concept in managing these diseases. Given the current situation, interdisciplinary research efforts are required to implement and sustain effective and long-term control measures in animal, human, and environmental health surveillance and accurate diagnostic methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nafeesa Yasmeen
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Abdul Jabbar
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Taif Shah
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Liang-xing Fang
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bilal Aslam
- Department of Microbiology, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Iqra Naseeb
- Institute of Applied Microbiology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Faiqa Shakeel
- Institute of Applied Microbiology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Hafiz Ishfaq Ahmad
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Zulqarnain Baloch
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yahong Liu
- National Risk Assessment Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Original Bacteria, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmaceutics Development and Safety Evaluation, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
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8
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Akgönüllü S, Armutcu C, Denizli A. Molecularly imprinted polymer film based plasmonic sensors for detection of ochratoxin A in dried fig. Polym Bull (Berl) 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00289-021-03699-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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9
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Sadeghpour SD, Karimi F, Alizadeh H. Predictive and fluorescent nanosensing experimental methods for evaluating anthrax protective antigen and lethal factor interactions for therapeutic applications. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 160:1158-1167. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.05.190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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10
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Zasada AA. Detection and Identification of Bacillus anthracis: From Conventional to Molecular Microbiology Methods. Microorganisms 2020; 8:E125. [PMID: 31963339 PMCID: PMC7023132 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8010125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Rapid and reliable identification of Bacillus anthracis is of great importance, especially in the event of suspected deliberate release of anthrax spores. However, the identification of B. anthracis is challenging due to its high similarity to closely related species. Since Amerithrax in 2001, a lot of effort has been made to develop rapid methods for detection and identification of this microorganism with special focus on easy-to-perform rapid tests for first-line responders. This article presents an overview of the evolution of B. anthracis identification methods from the time of the first description of the microorganism until the present day.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra A Zasada
- Department of Sera and Vaccines Evaluation, National Institute of Public Health-National Institute of Hygiene, Chocimska 24, 00-791 Warsaw, Poland
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11
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Diauudin FN, Rashid JIA, Knight VF, Wan Yunus WMZ, Ong KK, Kasim NAM, Abdul Halim N, Noor SAM. A review of current advances in the detection of organophosphorus chemical warfare agents based biosensor approaches. SENSING AND BIO-SENSING RESEARCH 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sbsr.2019.100305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
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12
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Qamar SA, Asgher M, Khalid N, Sadaf M. Nanobiotechnology in health sciences: Current applications and future perspectives. BIOCATALYSIS AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcab.2019.101388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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13
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Klisara N, Yu YM, Palaniappan A, Liedberg B. Towards on-site visual detection of proteases in food matrices. Anal Chim Acta 2019; 1078:182-188. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2019.06.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Karimi F, Dabbagh S. Gel green fluorescence ssDNA aptasensor based on carbon nanotubes for detection of anthrax protective antigen. Int J Biol Macromol 2019; 140:842-850. [PMID: 31470050 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.08.219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, is a harmful pathogen with potential ability as a biological weapon which persuades scientists to develop novel methods to detect anthrax from infected resources. In this study, a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNTs)-based fluorescence aptasensor was fabricated to detect the recombinant protective antigen domain 4 (rPAD4) of Bacillus anthracis as the most important key factor in development of anthrax. First, PAD4 was recombinant expressed in E. coli and purified by Ni-NTA column. Second, the affinity of aptamer to rPAD4 was confirmed by ELAA assay. In aptasensor design, the aptamer was labeled with Gel Green and immobilized on MWCNTs. Upon the adsorption of labeled aptamer on MWCNTs, fluorescence emission was quenched. In contrast, by adding rPAD4 to hybridization reaction and incubation for 10 min, the fluorescence emission was significantly recovered to 85% compared to the control. Detection limit for the sensitivity and specificity of the aptasensor was determined 20 ng/ml and 62.5 ng/ml purified and unpurified rPAD4 protein, respectively. Also, applicability of aptasensor was showed in mouse serum sample. Finally, results indicated that nanosensor has the potential to be developed as a high-sensitive, cost-effective and fast-acting system for measuring of PA in anthrax diagnostic tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farrokh Karimi
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, University of Maragheh, P.O. Box 55181-83111, Maragheh, Iran.
| | - Somayyeh Dabbagh
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, University of Maragheh, P.O. Box 55181-83111, Maragheh, Iran
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Israeli O, Cohen-Gihon I, Zvi A, Lazar S, Shifman O, Levy H, Tidhar A, Beth-Din A. Rapid identification of unknown pathogens in environmental samples using a high-throughput sequencing-based approach. Heliyon 2019; 5:e01793. [PMID: 31193701 PMCID: PMC6538980 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e01793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2018] [Revised: 03/31/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In the event of a bioterror attack, a prompt, sensitive and definite identification of the agents involved is of major concern for confirmation of the event and for mitigation of countermeasures. Whether the information from intelligence forces is limited concerning the biothreat identity or one suspects the presence of a novel or engineered agent, the genetic identification of microorganisms in an unknown sample is challenging. High-throughput sequencing (HTS) technologies can sequence a heterogeneous mixture of genetic materials with high sensitivity and speed; nevertheless, despite the enormous advantages of HTS, all previous reports have analyzed unknown samples in a timeframe of a few days to a few weeks. This timeframe might not be relevant to an emergency scenario. Here, we present an HTS-based approach for deciphering the genetic composition of unknown samples within a working day. This outcome is accomplished by a rapid library preparation procedure, short-length sequencing and a prompt bioinformatics comparison against all available microbial genomic sequences. Using this approach, as a proof of concept, we were able to detect two spiked-in biothreat agents, B. anthracis and Y. pestis, in a variety of environmental samples at relevant concentrations and within a short timeframe of eight hours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ofir Israeli
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Inbar Cohen-Gihon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Anat Zvi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Shirley Lazar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Ohad Shifman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Haim Levy
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Avital Tidhar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Adi Beth-Din
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
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16
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Jairaj A, Shirisha P, Abdul MSM, Fatima U, Tiwari RVC, Moothedath M. Adult Immunization - Need of the Hour. J Int Soc Prev Community Dent 2018; 8:475-481. [PMID: 30596036 PMCID: PMC6280562 DOI: 10.4103/jispcd.jispcd_347_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunization is the process of making individuals immune. Childhood immunization is a common process for various aliments, but adult immunization in the Indian scenario is obscure. Officially, India has been declared polio-free, which is an achievement despite cultural, political, economic, geographic, and so many other factors. The changing demographics of adult, geriatric population and growing cost of health-care maintenance are a concern in developing countries like India. Thus, promoting healthy lifestyle needs prevention, early detection, and management of various diseases and disorders. Certainly, prevention in adults is yet to be tapped completely, so that goal of 100% prevention can be achieved. Various fraternities of medical association have come up with guidelines for adult immunization schedules in India. The present paper reviews infectious diseases such as anthrax, chikungunya, cholera, dengue, influenza, and malaria in this section of the review. We humbly request all health-care professionals and educators to educate the mass for adult immunization. So that, cost involved for treatment and workforce for the management of diseases can be better utilized in some other needed areas.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - P Shirisha
- Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | - Urooj Fatima
- Skin and Laser Care Centre, Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rahul Vinay Chandra Tiwari
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Dentistry, Jubilee Mission Medical College Hospital and Research Center, Thrissur, Kerala, India
| | - Muhamood Moothedath
- Department of Public Health Dentistry, College of Applied Health Sciences in Ar Rass, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia
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Granger JH, Porter MD. The Case for Human Serum as a Highly Preferable Sample Matrix for Detection of Anthrax Toxins. ACS Sens 2018; 3:2303-2310. [PMID: 30350950 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.8b00566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
This paper describes preliminary results on the surprising impact of human serum as a sample matrix on the detectability of protective antigen (PA) and lethal factor (LF), two antigenic protein markers of Bacillus anthracis, in a heterogeneous immunometric assay. Two sample matrices were examined: human serum and physiological buffer. Human serum is used as a specimen in the diagnostic testing of potentially infected individuals. Physiological buffers are often applied to the recovery of biomarkers dispersed in suspicious white powders and other suspect specimens and as a serum diluent to combat contributions to the measured test response from nonspecific adsorption. The results of these experiments using a sandwich immunoassay read out by surface-enhanced Raman scattering yielded estimates for the limit of detection (LOD) for both markers when using spiked human serum that were remarkably lower than those of spiked physiological buffer (∼70,000× for PA and ∼25,000× for LF). The difference in LODs is attributed to a degradation in the effectiveness of the capture and/or labeling steps in the immunoassay due to the known propensity for both proteins to denature in buffer. These findings indicate that the use of physiological buffer for serum dilution or recovery from a powdered matrix is counter to the low-level detection of these two antigenic proteins. The potential implications of these results with respect to the ability to detect markers of other pathogenic agents are briefly discussed.
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Suryadi K, Shine N. Design and use of a novel substrate for simple, rapid, and specific early detection of anthrax infection. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0207084. [PMID: 30412638 PMCID: PMC6226181 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis is a major biological warfare threat. The inhalation form of infection can kill quickly. While antibiotic treatment is effective, if diagnosis is delayed, the rapidly produced toxin may already be present in lethal amounts. This report describes a fast, sensitive, specific and accurate method for detection of active infection by Bacillus anthracis in plasma. One of the virulence factors, anthrax lethal factor, is an endopeptidase present in blood early in the infection. However, the use of peptidic substrates to detect endopetidases is problematic in plasma due to the presence of other proteases and the likelihood of nonspecific cleavage of the substrate. The fluorescently labeled peptide substrate MAPKKide Plus designed in this study is not cleaved by plasma proteases and thus is specific for lethal factor. Three detection strategies are described. Two include enrichment by capture from plasma using lethal factor antibody-coated microtiter plates or similarly coated immuno-tubes. The captured lethal factor is exposed to the MAPKKide Plus, and the amount of cleavage is determined either by HPLC or microplate reader. Concentration of lethal factor using the antibody-coated plates aplnd HPLC allows for detection of less than 5 pg lethal factor/ml of neat plasma after 2 hours of incubation. Using antibody-coated immuno-tubes, 20 pg lethal factor/ml plasma can be detected in 5 hours by a simple end point read of fluorescence in a microplate reader. For a third strategy, the substrate is added directly to diluted plasma, and cleavage is monitored by the increase in fluorescence as a function of time. The limit of detection by this simple method is 25 ng lethal factor/ml of plasma in 15 minutes, 5 ng/ml after 45 minutes, and <1 ng lethal factor/ml of plasma after 5 hours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayana Suryadi
- Research and Development, List Biological Laboratories, Inc., Campbell, California, United States of America
| | - Nancy Shine
- Research and Development, List Biological Laboratories, Inc., Campbell, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Sensitive and Specific Recombinase Polymerase Amplification Assays for Fast Screening, Detection, and Identification of Bacillus anthracis in a Field Setting. Appl Environ Microbiol 2018; 84:AEM.00506-18. [PMID: 29602786 PMCID: PMC5960963 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00506-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Four isothermal recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) assays were developed for fast in-field identification of Bacillus anthracis The RPA assays targeted three specific sequences (i.e., the BA_5345 chromosomal marker, the lethal factor lef [from pXO1], and the capsule-biosynthesis-related capA [from pXO2]) and a conserved sequence in the adenylate cyclase gene (adk) for the Bacillus cereus group. B. anthracis-specific RPA assays were tested first with purified genomic DNAs (n = 60), including 11 representatives of B. anthracis, and then with soil (n = 8) and white powder (n = 8) samples spiked with inactivated B. anthracis spores and/or other biological agents. The RPA assays were also tested in another laboratory facility, which blindly provided DNA and lysate samples (n = 30, including 20 B. anthracis strains). RPA assays displayed 100% specificity and sensitivity. The hands-off turnaround times at 42°C ranged from 5 to 6 min for 102 genomic copies. The analytical sensitivity of each RPA assay was ∼10 molecules per reaction. In addition, the BA_5345 and adk RPA assays were assessed under field conditions with a series of surface swabs (n = 13, including 11 swabs contaminated with B. thuringiensis spores) that were blindly brought to the field laboratory by a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) sampling team. None of the 13 samples, except the control, tested positive for B. anthracis, and all samples that had been harvested from spore-contaminated surfaces tested positive with the adk RPA assay. All three B. anthracis-specific RPA assays proved suitable for rapid and reliable identification of B. anthracis and therefore could easily be used by first responders under field conditions to quickly discriminate between a deliberate release of B. anthracis spores and a hoax attack involving white powder.IMPORTANCE In recent decades, particularly following the 11 September 2001 and Amerithrax attacks, the world has experienced attempts to sow panic and chaos in society through thousands of white-powder copycats using household powders to mimic real bioterrorism attacks. In such circumstances, field-deployable detection methods are particularly needed to screen samples collected from the scene. The aim is to test the samples directly using a fast and reliable assay for detection of the presence of B. anthracis While this would not preclude further confirmatory tests from being performed in reference laboratories, it would bring useful, timely, and relevant information to local crisis managers and help them make appropriate decisions without having to wait for quantitative PCR results (with turnaround times of a few hours) or phenotypic identification and sequencing (with turnaround times of a few days). In the current investigation, we developed a set of isothermal RPA assays for the rapid screening and identification of B. anthracis in powders and soil samples, with the purpose of discriminating a deliberate release of B. anthracis spores from a hoax attack involving white powder; this would also apply to dispersion by spraying of aerosolized forms of B. anthracis Further work is now ongoing to confirm the first observations and validate the on-site use of these assays by first responders.
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Intelligence and Stakeholders. INTELLIGENCE, BIOSECURITY AND BIOTERRORISM 2018. [PMCID: PMC7153403 DOI: 10.1057/978-1-137-51700-5_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
This chapter underscores the need for more explicit and strategic engagement of stakeholders (scientists, clinicians, first responders, amongst others) by the intelligence community. The chapter argues that the intelligence community will increasingly rely on their expertise to build more valid and reliable assessments of emerging bio-threats and risks. However, the discussion also identifies some of the limitations and challenges stakeholders themselves have to understanding complex threats and risks.
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Kolesnikov AV, Kozyr AV, Ryabko AK, Shemyakin IG. Ultrasensitive detection of protease activity of anthrax and botulinum toxins by a new PCR-based assay. Pathog Dis 2015; 74:ftv112. [PMID: 26620058 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftv112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthrax and botulism are dangerous infectious diseases that can be fatal unless detected and treated quickly. Fatalities from these diseases are primarily due to endopeptidase toxins secreted by the pathogens. Rapid and sensitive detection of the presence of active toxins is the key element for protection from natural outbreaks of anthrax and botulism, as well as from the threat of bioterrorism. We describe an ultrasensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay for detecting proteolytic activity of anthrax and botulinum toxins using composite probes consisting of covalent peptide-DNA conjugate for the detection of anthrax, and noncovalent protein-aptamer assembly to assay botulinum toxin activity. Probes immobilized on the solid-phase support are cleaved by toxins to release DNA, which is detected by real-time PCR. Both assays can detect subpicogram quantities of active toxins isolated from composite matrices. Special procedures were developed to isolate intact toxins from the matrices under mild conditions. The assay is rapid, uses proven technologies, and can be modified to detect other proteolytic and biopolymer-degrading enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander V Kolesnikov
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, Obolensk, Moscow Region 142279, Russia Institute of Immunological Engineering, Lyubuchany, Moscow Region 142380, Russia
| | - Arina V Kozyr
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, Obolensk, Moscow Region 142279, Russia
| | - Alyona K Ryabko
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, Obolensk, Moscow Region 142279, Russia
| | - Igor G Shemyakin
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, Obolensk, Moscow Region 142279, Russia
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