2. ANTHRAXt In late 2001, soon after the terrorist attacks of September 11th, th

Question

2. ANTHRAXt In late 2001, soon after the terrorist attacks of September 11th, the United States was in the grip of a new terror threat. Between October 4th and November 20th, twenty-two cases of anthrax were reported. Eleven of these cases were cutaneous anthrax, while eleven were pulmonary anthrax. Five of the patients who contracted pulmonary anthrax died. The source of the outbreak was traced to letters contaminated with Bacillus anthracis endospores. The letter were deliberately sent by the perpetrator to a variety of prominent individuals, including members of the media and the U.S. Senate. Twenty of the 22 patients (91%) were mail handlers or others who entered workplaces where contaminated mail was processed or received. Why is Bacillus anthracis such a potent bioterrorism agent? 3. Consider two new antibiotics. Antibiotic A disrupts cell membranes. Antibiotic B inter feres with the synthesis of peptidoglycan. Which of treat an infection in an animal and why? these drugs do you think is safer to use to

Explanation / Answer

Bacillus anthracis is potent bioterrorism:

1) the spores of the bacteria are extremely stable, resistant to dehydration, heat and other environmental pressures i.e. can persist in the environment for decades

2) can be easily contracted through ingestion, inhalation, wounds

3) high pathogenecity

4) endemic outbreaks

5) genetic manipulation to make the bacteria antibiotic resistant so as to prevent effective treatment if diagnosed.

3. Antibiotic B that interferes with the synthesis of peptidoglycan as peptidoglycan is present in the cell walls of bacteria and is not synthesized in vertebrates. Antibiotic A would disrupt the cell membranes of the host too.

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