MEDICAL COUNTERMEASURES AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL

File: 123096_sep96_decls27_0026.txt
Page: 0026
Total Pages: 34

Subject: MEDICAL COUNTERMEASURES AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL             

Unit: OTSG        

Parent Organization: HSC         

Box  ID: BX003203

Folder Title: FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST 3106                                                         

Document Number:          1

Folder Seq  #:         28




                                       UNCLASSIFIED








                              CLOSTRIDIUM PERFRINGENS



         CLINICAL SYNDROME

            Clostridium perfrinaens is a common anaerobic bacterium
         associated with three distinct disease syndromes: (a) gas
         gangrene or clostridial myonecrosis; (b) enteritis necroticans
         (pig-bel); and (c) clostridial food poisoning. Each of these
         syndromes has very specific requirements for delivery inocula
         of C perfrinaens to specific sites to induce disease, and it is
         difficult to envision a gernal scenario in which the spores or
         vegetative organisms could be used as a biowarfare agent.
         There are, however, at least 12 protein toxins elaborated, and
         one or more of these could be produced, concentrated, and used
         as a weapon. Waterborne disease is conceivable, but unlikely.
         The best available speculation (based on virtually no
         exploratory data with which to sharpen our conclusions) is that
         the alpha toxin would be lethal by aerosol. This is a well
         characterized, highly toxic phospholipase C. Other toxins from
         the organism might be co-weaponized and enhance effectiveness.
         For example, the epsilon toxin is neurotoxic in laboratory
         animals.

            Clinical Features. The clinical picture of aerosolized
         perfrinaens alpha toxin would be expected to be that of a
         serious acute pulmonary insult. Absorbed toxin could produce
         vascular leak, hemolysis, thrombocytopenia, liver damage, etc.
         Other toxins could modify the event.


         DIAGNOSIS

              Routine Laboratory Findings. Clinical laboratory
            findings might include anemia (due to intravascular
            hemolysis), thrombocytopenia, elevated serum transaminases
            and hypoxia.

            # Differential Diagnosia. Pulmonary signs might lead to
, hemolytic
            anemia, and thrombocytopenia are not associated with SEB,
            and the pulmonary findings should be reversible in SEB.

            . Specific Laboratory Diaanosis. Acute serum and tissue
            samples should be collected and rapidly transported to a
            reference laboratory. Specific immunoassays are available;
            however, their utility in diagnosis of human disease is
            unproven.

                                         12



                                       UNCLASSIFIED

Document 34 f:/Week-36/BX003203/FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST 3106/medical countermeasures against biological mater:12179609282028
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-36
Box ID = BX003203
Unit = OTSG
Parent Organization = HSC
Folder Title = FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST 3106
Folder Seq # = 28
Subject = MEDICAL COUNTERMEASURES AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATER
Document Seq # = 1
Document Date =
Scan Date =
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 17-DEC-1996