Anthrax is caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis, that most commonly occurs in wild and domestic mammals. Anthrax occurs in humans when they are exposed to infected animals or tissue from infected animals, or when they are directly exposed to B. anthracis. Depending on the route of infection, anthrax disease can occur in three forms: cutaneous, inhalational, and rarely, gastrointestional.
In man, the mortality of untreated cutaneous anthrax ranges up to 25%; in inhalational and intestinal cases, the case fatality rate is almost 100% Survival does result in immunity against additional exposure. The US Department of Defense indicates that some countries maintain weaponized anthrax inventories and present a bio-attack/terrorist threat. Weaponized anthrax has been utilized in the past
The currently available primary vaccination for anthrax consists of three subcutaneous injections at zero, two, and four weeks, and three vaccinations at six, twelve, and eighteen months followed by annual boosters. For prolonged protection, annual boosters are recommended. Epidemiological evidence indicates this vaccine may cause acute side effects and may only provide partial protection from some strains of B. anthracis.
Working with the Battelle Memorial Institute, the University of Michigan demonstrated a mucosal adjuvant with the potential to produce a new generation of a subunit, needle-free, more potent anthrax vaccine. This type of vaccine may require fewer doses and be less reactogenic than currently available human anthrax vaccines. Unlike the currently available anthrax vaccine, refrigeration is not required for the NanoBio prototype. This could be particularly important for fast response teams or in the battlefield.
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