Identification of a Surrogate Marker for Infection in the African Green Monkey Model of Inhalation Anthrax
Abstract
In 2001 a bioterrorism attack involving Bacillus anthracis spore-laced letters resulted in 22 cases of inhalation anthrax with five fatalities. This incident identified gaps in our health care system and precipitated a renewed interest in identifying both therapeutics and rapid diagnostic assays. Availability of appropriate, well-characterized animal models that resemble the human disease and identification of a rapid assay and a reliable diagnostic marker are key to the success of these efforts. In this study, we exposed African green monkeys to B. anthracis spores and examined clinical signs and physiological parameters to include fever, heart rate, complete blood counts and bacteremia, as well as the PCR and electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunoassay for the biomarkers; protective antigen and capsule. Results demonstrated that there were neither clinical nor physiological signs that consistently identified either a positive infection or onset of clinical anthrax disease and that the African green monkey is a suitable animal model exhibiting a disease course similar to that observed with the rhesus model and humans. We also demonstrated that detecting the biomarkers, protective antigen and capsule, correlated with bacterial loads in the blood of these non-human primates. The ECL immunoassay described is simple and sensitive enough to provide results in one to two hours, making this assay a viable option for use in diagnosis of anthrax leading to timely initiation of treatment and is a key component of B. anthracis therapeutic development.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA492491
Entities
People
- Cynthia A. Rossi
- Douglas S. Reed
- Elizabeth K. Leffel
- Louise M. Pitt
- Melanie Ulrich
- Sarah L. Norris
Organizations
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases