Decontamination of Bacillus Anthracis Spores on Military Working Dog Skin

Abstract

Military working dogs (MWDs) are deployed in conflict regions for the detection of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threat materials. Protocols such as rinsewashrinse and chlorhexidine sponge wipe-downs for MWD skin biodecontamination rely largely on mechanical removal and not on inactivation of Bacillus anthracis (Sterne strain) spores. As a result, viable spores remain in high number on MWD skin. Wipes soaked in 5% Bioxy (Atomes, F.D.; Quebec City, Canada) were tested for effective inactivation of the spores. Shortening MWD fur length was also tested. Relative to just a 1-1.5 log reduction in the number of spores with the rinse-wash-rinse and chlorhexidine sponge wipe-down protocols, Bioxy wipes and fur length shortening resulted in a 3-4 log reduction. Efforts are ongoing to enhance spore inactivation using wipe types and wipes soaked with 10% Bioxy.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 26, 2022
Accession Number
AD1175012

Entities

People

  • Brianna M. Leija
  • Orshuntis Cross
  • Sarah Katoski
  • Vipin K. Rastogi

Organizations

  • Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Biological Warfare
  • Decontamination
  • Department Of Defense
  • Dermatologic Agents
  • Education
  • Health
  • Infection
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Information Operations
  • Military Science
  • Public Health
  • Recovery
  • Search And Rescue
  • Standards
  • Technical Information Centers
  • Test Sets
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Canine Service Warrior Training Program for Wounded Warriors in the Veterinary Industry, Supported by Donors.
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Military/Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technology