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Bacteria and Rickettsia |
Disease name | Fungi |
Plant Pathogens |
Livestock Agents| Toxins |
Viruses | Secondary
agents | Biological Agent Code
Names
Secondary Biological Agents: Deuterophoma to Goat pox virus
| Deuterophoma tracheiphila | Entamoeba histolytica | Ergot alkaloids | Escherichia coli O157 |
| Foot and mouth disease virus | Giardia lamblia | Goat pox virus | Secondary agents list |
| Disease Name | Malsecco |
|---|---|
| Synonyms | Phoma tracheiphila |
| Agent Type | Plant pathogenic fungus |
| Target | Citrus crops |
| Related Agents | None |
| Listed by the Australia Group |
Yes |
| Comments | Malsecco or mal secco is a disease of lemon trees that is established around the Mediterranean and Black Sea and is a problem for citrus growers from Italy to Syria. It appears to be controllable by a number of common fungicides. |
| Disease Name | Amoebic dysentery |
|---|---|
| Synonyms | None |
| Agent Type | Parasite |
| Target | Humans, livestock |
| Related Agents | None |
| Listed by the Australia Group |
No |
| Comments | E. histolytica is widespread with an estimated 400 million people worldwide suffering from amoebic dysentery or the chronic form of the disease (chronic amoebiasis). It is spread through water contaminated with feces from infected humans or animals, notably dogs. Resting spores of the organism come to rest in structures in the small intestine called the crypts of Lieberkühn where the organism grows to form small ulcers that can spread and cause rapid tissue destruction leading to diarrhea, dehydration, and death. The disease can present with a large variety of symptoms and in severe cases the organism can attack the liver and lungs. Antibiotics are available to treat the disease, including metronidazole. |
| Disease Name | Ergotism |
|---|---|
| Synonyms | St. Anthony's fire |
| Agent Type | Toxin |
| Target | Humans, livestock |
| Related Agents | Ergot |
| Listed by the Australia Group |
Yes |
| Comments | Historical reports of ergotism-like diseases go back to the Peloponnesian War (430 BC) and the Romans gave clear and obvious descriptions of the the source organism, Claviceps purpurea on rye. Major outbreaks of the disease have been recorded in Europe in the past thousand years claiming up to 40,000 victims. The disease is virtually unknown today as improved farming and grain husbandry and the use of fungicides. Ergot alkaloids are potent vasoconstrictors and hallucinogens. The disease appears in two forms. One form, the gangrenous form (known as the holy fire in the Middle Ages) begins with prickling and muscular pains that gather in intensity until all feeling is lost. Jaundice and red or violet discoloration of the skin may be seen. The affected areas, usually the arms and leg turn black and become gangrenous. The second form, known as convulsive ergotism (bewitchment in the Middle Ages) involves convulsions, itching, cramps and spasms. The body would flex as in tetanus or roll into a ball. Death from this form could occur within a few hours with up to 60% of those affected dying. The ergot alkaloid family is now found in a number of plant and fungal genera and comprises well over a hundred members, all of which ultimately show some some relationship to lysergic acid, isolysergic acid and erogoline and include ergotamine. |
| Structures |  |
| Disease Name | Hemolytic uremic syndrome |
|---|---|
| Synonyms |
Escherichia coli has also been known as:
|
| Agent Type | Bacterium |
| Target | Humans |
| Related Agents | |
| Listed by the Australia Group |
Yes |
| Comments | EHEC has only become recognized as a public health hazard since the 1980's. It is most often encountered as a contaminant in undercooked ground beef and the resulting food poisoning with intense diarrhea and damage to the digestive tract and kidneys can be deadly, especially to the children and the elderly.
The effects of the organism are due to it producing Verotoxin that is listed as a potential toxin weapon and E. coli is closely related to Shigella dysenteriae that is also listed. A major reason for concern is that E. coli is the workhorse of molecular genetics and genetic engineering. It may be relatively easy to modify EHEC into a potent biological weapon using relatively unsophisticated technology. |
| Disease Name | Foot and mouth disease |
|---|---|
| Synonyms |
|
| Agent Type | Virus |
| Target | Livestock, predominantly cattle and pigs. |
| Related Agents |
|
| Listed by the Australia Group |
Yes |
| Comments | Foot and mouth disease is one of the economically most important disease
of livestock, especially cattle and swine. Mortality is relatively low
at about 3%, but because it is highly contagious infected herds are slaughtered
and carcasses burned to prevent spread. Strict quarantine and vaccination
programs coupled with good animal husbandry are essential in controlling
outbreaks. Vaccines are available but they do not give long term protection
and can give rise to false-positives in diagnostic immunoassays.
The virus is relatively robust and is widespread and endemic in many areas of the world. Infection of humans is rare and does not appear to be severe and without serious sequelae. The predominant symptom appears to be a continuous burning sensation in the mouth and tongue. A major outbreak in the United Kingdom in 2001 was claimed to have been caused by ecoterrorists protesting against modern farming practices. However, the outbreak may have been made worse by unauthorized movement of animals from infected areas and even some cases of deliberately infcting animals to obtain compensation from the UK government. |
| Disease Name | Giardiasis |
|---|---|
| Synonyms |
|
| Agent Type | Parasite |
| Target | Humans |
| Related Agents | None |
| Listed by the Australia Group |
No |
| Comments | Giardiasis is a well-known, but relatively rare, problem among young
children. The parasite is transmitted in feces and so is an indication
of poor personal or public hygiene. The disease is found in places such
as day care centers and can be a major problem in refugee camps. It is
also a problem in western North America where campers can catch it from
water contaminated by beavers. The parasite takes up residence in the
digestive tract where it forms cysts that are the method of transmission.
As the parasite proliferates in the intestine with the formation of cysts,
the intestine becomes inflamed leading to diarrhea, dehydration and malnutrition
as the victim loses the ability to absorb foods, especially fats. In some
cases, the disease is accompanied by an arthritis that fails to respond
to common anti-arthritic drugs. Immunosuppressed victims are at the greates
risk.
Infection responds well to drugs including metronidazole and paromomycin. However, the cysts are resistant to normal water treatment and chlorination and once established, it can take considerable effort to make a water supply safe. |
| Disease Name | Goatpox |
|---|---|
| Synonyms | None |
| Agent Type | Virus |
| Target | Livestock (goats) |
| Related Agents | |
| Listed by the Australia Group |
Yes |
| Comments | The virus is one of the most important pathogens of livestock, especially in the Middle East and neighbouring regions of Europe and the Indian subcontinent. It is a relatively hardy virus that can be spread naturally by aerosols. Upon infection the virus spreads to many organs, including the skin where it forms pocks that can be seen where the skin is free of hair. Animals lose their appetites, stand with an arched back, and show raised temperatures, runny nose, and inflammation around the eyes. Animals that survive the disease also become resistant to Sheeppox virus. |
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