Biological agent

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A sampling of Bacillus anthracis—Anthrax

A biological agent is an infectious disease or toxin that can be used in bioterrorism or biological warfare. There are more than 1200 different kinds of biological agents.

Biological agents include prions, viruses, microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) and some unicellular and multicellular eukaryotes (for example parasites) and their associated toxins. They have the ability to adversely affect human health in a variety of ways, ranging from allergic reactions that are usually relatively mild, to serious medical conditions, even death. These organisms are ubiquitous in the natural environment; they are found in water, soil, plants, and animals. Because many biological agents reproduce rapidly and require minimal resources for preservation, they are a potential danger in a wide variety of occupational settings.

Examples of biological agents are

Contents

[edit] Mycotic Biological Agents

  • OC - Coccidioides mycosis

[edit] Bacterial Biological Agents

[edit] Chlamydial Biological Agents

[edit] Rickettsial Biological Agents

[edit] Viral Biological Agents

[edit] Biological Vectors

[edit] Biological Toxins

[edit] Simuants

  • MR - molasis residium
  • BG - Bacillus globigii
  • BS - Bacillus globigii
  • U - Bacillus globigii
  • SM - Serratia marescens
  • P - Serratia marescens
  • AF - Aspergillus fumigatus mutant C-2
  • EC - E. coli
  • BT - Bacillus thursidius
  • EH - Erwinia hebicola
  • FP - fluorescent particle

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_agent"
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