RESUMEN
Bioterrorism and the potential use of biological weapons has become an important concern of governments and responsible authorities. An example of this threat occurred in 2001 in the USA, when letters were sent containing spores of the agent that produces anthrax; this resulted in some deaths, and caused panic and negative effects on the world economy. If this small-scale event was able to cause such a huge impact, the repercussions of a massive attack could be catastrophic. In many countries, these events have resulted in the implementation of measures directed toward preventing and responding to bioterrorist threats and acts. As a whole, these measures are known as biodefense. This article briefly analyzes several aspects related to detecting and identifying acts of bioterrorism, and considers the biological agents that are implicated. The microbiological diagnosis that allows identification of the causal agent, a key point for taking suitable control measures, is also included.
Asunto(s)
Bioterrorismo , Defensa Civil/tendencias , Planificación en Desastres , Control de Infecciones/tendencias , Microbiología/tendencias , Salud Pública , Carbunco/prevención & control , Defensa Civil/métodos , Enfermedades Transmisibles/diagnóstico , Enfermedades Transmisibles/transmisión , Diagnóstico Precoz , Agencias Gubernamentales , Humanos , Control de Infecciones/métodos , Anamnesis , Vigilancia de la Población , España , Toxinas Biológicas/análisis , Toxinas Biológicas/envenenamientoRESUMEN
El bioterrorismo y el uso potencial de armas biológicas se ha convertido en una preocupación importante de los gobiernos y autoridades competentes. Como ejemplo, el envío de cartas con esporas del agente causante del carbunco en Estados Unidos en 2001 ocasionó varias muertes, causó pánico y tuvo repercusiones negativas en la economía mundial. Si este incidente, a pequeña escala, produjo semejante impacto, los efectos de un ataque masivo podrían ser catastróficos. En muchos países éste fue el punto que marcó el inicio de la toma de medidas encaminadas a prevenir y responder ante amenazas y actos bioterroristas, acciones que, en su conjunto, se conocen como biodefensa. Este artículo pretende analizar someramente algunos aspectos relacionados con la detección e identificación de este tipo de acciones y los agentes biológicos implicados. Se considera el diagnóstico microbiológico que permite la identificación del agente causal, punto clave para la toma de medidas de control adecuadas (AU)
Bioterrorism and the potential use of biological weapons has become an important concern of governments and responsible authorities. An example of this threat occurred in 2001 in the USA, when letters were sent containing spores of the agent that produces anthrax; this resulted in some deaths, and caused panic and negative effects on the world economy. If this small-scale event was able to cause such a huge impact, the repercussions of a massive attack could be catastrophic. In many countries, these events have resulted in the implementation of measures directed toward preventing and responding to bioterrorist threats and acts. As a whole, these measures are known as biodefense. This article briefly analyzes several aspects related to detecting and identifying acts of bioterrorism, and considers the biological agents that are implicated. The microbiological diagnosis that allows identification of the causal agent, a key point for taking suitable control measures, is also included (AU)
