FRSC 1011H Lecture Notes - Lecture 16: Citrinin, Shigella, Tularemia
Bioterrorism, Biocrime and Microbial
Biological (bioterrorist) Agents
● Viruses
● Bacteria
● Fungi
● Biological Toxins
Bacterial Pathogens
● Bacteria are living cells
○ Capable of complex metabolic functions
○ Larger more complex genomes than viruses
○ Cell walls, membranes surrounding a cytoplasm and nucleoid
Bacteria Considered Bioterrorism Agents
● Biowarfare agents: aerosolized
○ Bacillus anthraxis (anthrax)
○ Yersinia pestis (plague)
○ Francisella tularensis (tularemia)
○ Burkholderia sp. (glanders and melioidosis)
○ Brucella sp. (brucellosis)
● Agents that are food borne pathogens, shigella and salmonella (biocrime attacks)
Fungal Toxins
● Fungi and fungal toxins as weapons: currently the biggest concern is as a
chronic health risk
● Aflatoxins, Ochratoxin, citrinin, ergot alkkaloids, patulin, fumonisins,
trichothecenes
Antibiotic and Fungicide Resistance
● Antibiotics provide treatment for bacterial infections
● Antibiotic resistance has become a serious concern as it lowers or eliminates
treatment options
● Antifungals provide treatment for fungal infections
● Antifungals resistance is now a major concern
Canadian Definition of Terrorist Activity
● The criminal code defines it as an act or omission undertaken, in or outside
Canada, for a political, religious or ideological purpose, that is intended to
Document Summary
Cell walls, membranes surrounding a cytoplasm and nucleoid. Agents that are food borne pathogens, shigella and salmonella (biocrime attacks) Fungi and fungal toxins as weapons: currently the biggest concern is as a chronic health risk. Aflatoxins, ochratoxin, citrinin, ergot alkkaloids, patulin, fumonisins, trichothecenes. Antibiotic resistance has become a serious concern as it lowers or eliminates treatment options. Antifungals resistance is now a major concern. The criminal code defines it as an act or omission undertaken, in or outside. Assessments usually considered for terrorist attacks or acts of war. Risk results from a combination of an asset, a threat/hazard, and a vulnerability. If any element is missing, there is no risk. Relatively inexpensive to produce, store and transport. Effect can be hours or days later; therefore, identifying the attacker is very difficult. Spread via air, water, food or a human being. Some agents spread from human to human (smallpoxs) while others do not (anthrax)