Biological Threat Fact Sheets

- Emergency Response Home | Laboratory Services Section Home -

Anthrax
Agent: Bacillus anthracis There are three clinical forms of B. anthracis which are determined by route of entry: Pulmonary or Inhalation—BT implications Cutaneous—most common Gastrointestinal Key Characteristics: Aerobic or facultative anaerobe Spore-forming Gram-positive rods Non-hemolytic (gamma) Non-motile Acceptable Specimens: Isolate Cutaneous anthrax: sterile swab from vesicular or eschar stage Gastrointestinal anthrax: Blood culture, stool (≥5 g) or rectal swab Inhalational anthrax: Blood culture, lower respiratory specimen (>1ml) Environmental samples submitted by law enforcement personnel Specimen Submission: All specimens must be triple contained in accordance with federal shipping regulations. All clinical specimens must be accompanied by a specimen submission form (G-27A). Prior to submission, please call (512) 776-3781.
Brucellosis
Agent: Brucella abortus, Brucella melitensis, Brucella suis, and Brucella canis Aerosols of Brucella spp. are considered to be highly infectious. B. melitensis produces the most severe and acute form of disease. B. abortus produces a more chronic form of disease. B. suis may also cause severe acute disease, but is associated with osteomyelitis. B. canis rarely causes disease in humans. Key Characteristics: Small gram-negative coccobacilli Slow-grower, colonies appear after 48-72 hrs of incubation Non-motile Oxidase positive Urease positive X and V factors not required Acceptable Specimens: Isolate Blood culture Bone marrow Tissue sample Environmental samples submitted by law enforcement personnel Specimen Submission: All specimens must be triple contained in accordance with federal shipping regulations. All clinical specimens must be accompanied by a specimen submission form (G-27A). Prior to submission, please call (512) 776-3781.
Botulism
Agent: Clostridium botulinum There are three forms of botulism: Foodborne (classic form) Wound Intestinal (infant and adult) Key Points: Please have physician consult with the Infectious Disease Control Unit (IDCU) prior to sample collection: (800) 252-8239 (“press 1”) Acceptable Specimens: Stool 10-50 grams recommended for an adult ≥5 grams recommended for an infant Do not freeze Serum 10ml minimum for an adult is recommended Not recommended for infant testing Wound Tissue from a biopsy or swab from deep in the wound Food Only tested if associated with a confirmed botulism case Shipping conditions: Stools and serum Should be shipped cold (on cold packs, not dry ice) by overnight courier Wound Ship tissue in anaerobic atmosphere Swab in anaerobic transport for swabs Ship without refrigeration Food Should be shipped in original container under current storage conditions (Example: cold storage submitted cold; frozen storage submitted frozen; etc) Specimen Submission: All specimens must be triple contained in accordance with federal shipping regulations. All clinical specimens must be accompanied by a specimen submission form (G-27A). Prior to submission, please call (512) 776-3781.
Tularemia
Agent: Francisella tularemia Aerosols of F. tularensis. are considered to be highly infectious. Two subspecies cause human disease: F. tularensis subsp. tularensis (highly virulent) F. tularensis subsp. holarctica (less virulent) Key Characteristics: Tiny gram-negative coccobacilli Slow-grower, colonies appear after 48-72 hrs of incubation Usually requires cysteine supplementation Non-motile Oxidase negative Urease negative Beta-lactamase positive X and V factors not required Acceptable Specimens: Isolate Blood culture Biopsied tissue or scraping of an ulcer (preferable) Swab of an ulcer (acceptable alternative) Tissue aspirate Environmental samples submitted by law enforcement personnel Specimen Submission: All specimens must be triple contained in accordance with federal shipping regulations. All clinical specimens must be accompanied by a specimen submission form (G-27A). Prior to submission, please call (512) 776-3781.
Plague
Agent: Yersinia pestis Three forms of plague: Bubonic: infected lymph nodes Septicemic: blood-borne organisms Pneumonic: transmissible person-to-person; deadliest Key Characteristics: Gram-negative coccobacilli with bipolar staining Colonies appear after 24-48 hrs of incubation Grows better at 22-25°C Non-motile Oxidase negative Urease negative Acceptable Specimens: Isolate Bubonic: Aspirate of involved tissue (bubonic) or biopsied specimen: Tissue or aspirates that can be obtained for culture include liver, spleen, bone marrow, lymph node, and/or lung Septicemic: blood Pneumonic: Bronchial wash or transtracheal aspirate (>1 ml) Environmental samples submitted by law enforcement personnel Specimen Submission: All specimens must be triple contained in accordance with federal shipping regulations. All clinical specimens must be accompanied by a specimen submission form (G-27A). Prior to submission, please call (512) 776-3781.
Melioidosis / Glanders
Agent: Burholderia pseudomallei and Burkholderia mallei B. pseudomallei- causative agent of melioidosis B. mallei – causative agent of glanders Key Characteristics: B. pseudomallei Gram-negative rods with bipolar staining Oxidase positive Indole negative Motile Resistant to colistin/polymyxin B B. mallei Faintly staining, gram-negative coccobacilli Oxidase variable Indole negative Non-motile Resistant to colistin/polymyxin B Acceptable Specimens: Isolate Blood Urine Abscesses, tissue aspirates, fluids Environmental samples submitted by law enforcement personnel Specimen Submission: All specimens must be triple contained in accordance with federal shipping regulations. All clinical specimens must be accompanied by a specimen submission form (G-27A). Prior to submission, please call (512) 776-3781.
Ricin Toxin
Agent: Ricin toxin Ricin toxin is derived from castor beans, Ricinus communis. Medical tests to confirm that a person has been exposed to ricin are not widely available. No antidote exists for ricin. Acceptable Specimens: Clinical: Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, does not currently accept clinical samples for ricin toxin testing. Serum (acute and convalescent – 2 weeks apart) testing is performed at the CDC Not indicated unless a known exposure has occurred Environmental: food, beverage, soil, water, powder, swabs, wipes, paper, plant material Submitted by law enforcement personnel only Specimen collection: Collect specimens in plastic containers and be triple contained in accordance with federal shipping Store specimens at room temperature or refrigerate NEVER freeze or heat samples suspected of containing ricin toxin, as this will denature the toxin Specimen Submission: Prior to submission, Prior to submission, please call (512) 776-3781.
Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B (SEB)
Agent: Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) SEB is one of several exotoxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus. SEB is the enterotoxin that most commonly causes classic food poisoning. Acceptable Specimens: Clinical: Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, does not currently accept clinical sample for SEB testing. Environmental: paper, powder, swabs, wipes, water, soil, food, beverage Submitted by law enforcement personnel only Specimen Submission: Prior to submission, Prior to submission, please call (512) 776-3781.
Q Fever
Agent: Coxiella burnetii C. burnetii is an obligate intracellular organism and cannot be cultured on routine bacteriologic media. Due to the extreme infectivity of C. burnetii, Level A (Sentinel) laboratories should not attempt to culture this organism. Acceptable Specimens: Blood - Collect blood in EDTA (lavender) or sodium citrate (blue) and maintain at 4°C for storage and shipping for PCR or special cultures Specimen Submission: All specimens must be triple contained in accordance with federal shipping regulations. All clinical specimens must be accompanied by a specimen submission form (G-27A). Prior to submission, please call (512) 776-3781.