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Example research essay topic: Loss Of Appetite Biological Warfare - 1,326 words

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Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis) is an acute infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium. The most common victims of anthrax are warm-blooded animals, but it can also infect humans. Anthrax spores can be produced in a powdery form for biological warfare. When inhaled by humans, these particles cause respiratory failure and death within a week.

Because anthrax is considered to be a potential agent for use in biological warfare, the Department of Defense (DOD), in 1998, announced it would begin a systematic vaccination of all U. S. military personnel. (DOD, 1998) Anthrax infection occurs in three forms: cutaneous (skin), inhalation, and gastrointestinal. B. anthracis spores can survive in the soil for many years and handling animal products from infected animals or inhaling anthrax spores from contaminated animal products can cause humans to become infected. Anthrax can also be spread by eating undercooked meat from infected animals.

Anthrax is diagnosed by isolating B. anthracis from the blood, skin lesions, or respiratory secretions or by measuring specific antibodies in the blood of suspected cases. (Dire, 2001) Demographics Anthrax is most common in the agricultural regions where it occurs in animals, such as South and Central America, Southern and Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. When anthrax affects humans, it is usually because of occupational exposure to infected animals or their products. Workers who are exposed to dead animals and animal products from other countries where anthrax is more common may become infected with B.

anthracis. Anthrax in animals rarely occurs in the United States. Most reports of animal infection are received from Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and South Dakota. Symptoms of disease vary depending on how the disease was contracted, but symptoms usually occur within seven days. (Dire, 2001) Types of Anthrax Cutaneous: Most anthrax infections occur when the bacterium enters a cut or abrasion on the skin, such as when handling contaminated wool, hides, leather or hair products (especially goat hair) of infected animals.

Skin infection begins as a raised itchy bump that resembles an insect bite but within 1 - 2 days develops into a vesicle and then a painless ulcer, usually 1 - 3 cm in diameter, with a black necrotic area in the center. Lymph glands in the adjacent area may swell. About 20 % of untreated cases of cutaneous anthrax will result in death. Deaths are rare with appropriate antimicrobial therapy. Inhalation: Initial symptoms may resemble a common cold. After several days, the symptoms may progress to severe breathing problems and shock.

Inhalation anthrax usually results in death in 1 - 2 days after onset of the acute symptoms. Intestinal: The intestinal disease form of anthrax may follow ingestion of contaminated meat and is characterized by an acute inflammation of the intestinal tract. Nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting and fever are followed by abdominal pain, vomiting of blood, and severe diarrhea. Intestinal anthrax results in death in 25 % to 60 % of cases. The incubation period is usually within seven days.

There are no reports of the disease spreading from human to human. Direct person-to-person spread of anthrax most likely does not occur. Once a person has been infected with anthrax and survived, a second bout with this disease is unlikely. To treat anthrax, doctors can prescribe antibiotics. Usually penicillin based antibiotics such as Cipro are preferred, but erythromycin, tetracycline, or chloramphenicol can also be used. To be effective, treatment should be initiated early.

The disease could be fatal if left untreated. (Sofaer, et al, 1999) Anthrax Vaccine Anthrax vaccine is available for people in high-risk occupations. To prevent anthrax, carefully handle dead animals suspected of having anthrax; provide good ventilation when processing hides, fur, hair or wool; and vaccinate animals. In countries where anthrax is common and vaccination levels of animal herds is low, humans should avoid contact with livestock and animal products, and avoid eating meat that has not been properly slaughtered and cooked. For high risk occupations, such as those exposed to potentially contaminated animal hair, wool or hides, vaccination is recommended. An anthrax vaccine has been licensed for use in humans. The vaccine is reported to be 93 % effective in protecting against cutaneous anthrax. (Sofaer, et al, 1999) The anthrax vaccine uses dead bacteria as opposed to live bacteria, and is indicated for individuals who come in contact in the workplace with imported animal hides, furs, bone meat, wool, animal hair and bristles.

It is also indicated for individuals engaged in diagnostic or investigational activities which may bring them into contact with anthrax spores. Now, the terroristic use of anthrax in this country has caused us to vaccinate our armed service and certain governmental personnel. Bio Port Corporation is the sole manufacturer of the anthrax vaccine. The vaccine is US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) -licensed and has been routinely given in the US since 1970.

The immunization consists of three subcutaneous injections given two weeks apart followed by three additional subcutaneous injections given at 6, 12, and 18 months. Annual booster injections of the vaccine are required to maintain immunity. Like all vaccines, anthrax vaccine may cause soreness, redness, itching, swelling, and lumps at the injection site. About 30 % of men and 60 % of women report these local reactions, but they usually last only a short while.

Lumps can persist a few weeks, but eventually disappear. Injection-site problems occur about twice as often among women. For both genders, between 1 % and 5 % report reactions at the injection site of 1 to 5 inches in diameter. Larger reactions at the injection site occur in about one in a hundred vaccine recipients. Beyond the injection site, from 5 % up to 35 % will notice muscle aches, joint aches, headaches, rash, chills, fever, nausea, loss of appetite, malaise, or related symptoms. Again, these symptoms usually go away after a few days.

Serious events, such as those requiring hospitalization, are rare. They happen about once per 50, 000 doses. Severe allergic reactions can occur after any vaccination, less than once per 100, 000 doses. A moderate local reaction can occur if the vaccine is given to anyone with a past history of anthrax infection.

Acute symptoms have varied. Depending on the vaccine lot used. The most common side effects reported are: mild discomfort (localized swelling and redness at the site of injection), joint aches, and in a few cases, nausea, loss of appetite, and headaches. There have been no long term side effects from the vaccine.

Sofaer, et al, 1999) Small quantities of anthrax vaccine are made available as needed to civilians who are exposed to anthrax hazards in their work environment such as veterinarians, lab workers and others. Anthrax vaccine is produced exclusively by the Michigan Biologic Products Institute under contract to the Defense Department. Virtually all vaccine produced is earmarked for military use in recognition of the documented threat to military personnel. (Cordes man, 2001) Biological Warfare The use of bacteriological agents in an armed conflict can be dated back to 1346, at Kaffa (now Feodossia) where the bodies of Tartar soldiers who died from the plague were thrown over the walls of the besieged city. It is hypothesized by some medical historians that the action resulted in the infamous pandemic that spread over the entire continent of Europe from Genoa, via the Mediterranean ports.

USAMARIID (2001) Since that time, various forms of biological warfare have been used in many countries. Boris Yeltsin acknowledged in a press conference, prior to meeting with President Bush in the summer of 1992, Washington, D. C. , that an incident in Sverdlovsk where civilians came down with a "mysterious illness, " resulting in many fatalities was in fact a massive biological warfare accident involving an aerosol of anthrax spores. Presumptive evidence acquired by United Nations Biological Warfare Inspection Team in 1992 indicated that Iraq could have been in the early stages of developing an offensive BW capability. On-site inspections revealed several laboratories with state-...


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