ABSTRACT
Naturally occurring or laboratory-derived biological pathogens and their products released intentionally or accidentally, can result in disease or death. Anthrax is an infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Cutaneous infection is the most common manifestation of anthrax in humans, accounting for 95% of cases. Botulism is caused by Clostridium botulinum, a gram-positive, spore-forming anaerobic rod. Botulism is caused by the release of preformed botulinum toxin secreted by the organism in contaminated food. Plague is an infectious disease of animals and humans caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. The first of three urban plagues started in Egypt and spread through the Middle East, North Africa, Asia, and Europe, killing over 100 million persons. Brucellosis is caused by Gram-negative coccobacillus bacteria of the genus Brucella. Because Brucella species are slow growing on initial laboratory isolation, diagnosis depends on serological identification in blood or bone marrow isolates.
