The Need for Continued Development of Ricin Countermeasures
Abstract
Ricin toxin, an extremely potent and heat-stable toxin produced from the bean of the ubiquitousRicinus communis(castor bean plant), has been categorized by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a category B biothreat agent that is moderately easy to disseminate. Ricin has the potential to be used as an agent of biological warfare and bioterrorism. Therefore, there is a critical need for continued development of ricin countermeasures. A safe and effective prophylactic vaccine against ricin that was FDA approved for “at risk” individuals would be an important first step in assuring the availability of medical countermeasures against ricin.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2012
- Source ID
- 10.1155/2012/149737
Entities
People
- Leonard A. Smith
- Ronald B. Reisler
Organizations
- Defense Threat Reduction Agency