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PCR assay to detect Bacillus anthracis spores in heat-treated specimens
A Fasanella1, S Losito, R Adone
1Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, Foggia, Rome, Italy. antoniofasanella@interfree.it
Abstract:
Recent interest in anthrax is due to its potential use in bioterrorism and as a biowarfare agent against civilian populations. The development of rapid and sensitive techniques to detect anthrax spores in suspicious specimens is the most important aim for public health. With a view to preventing exposure of laboratory workers to viable Bacillus anthracis spores, this study evaluated the suitability of PCR assays for detecting anthrax spores previously inactivated at 121 degrees C for 45 min. The results indicate that heat treatment ensures the complete inactivation of B. anthracis spores without significantly affecting the efficiency of PCR assays.