MEDICAL COUNTERMEASURES AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL

File: 123096_sep96_decls27_0027.txt
Page: 0027
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








             The enterotoxin can be detected in fecal samples from human
           food-poisoning cases, and bacteria are readily cultured from
           clinical samples.


           THERAPY

             No specific treatment is available for C. perfringens
           intoxication. Humans with enteritis necroticans have been
           treated with antitoxin with some success.

             The organism itself is sensitive to penicillin, and,
           consequently, this is the current drug of choice. Recent data
           indicate that clindamycin or rifampin may suppress toxin
           production, and provide superior results in animal models.


           PROPHYLAXIS. There is no available prophylaxis for C.
           perfringens intoxication. Toxoids are being used to prevent
           enteritis necroticans in humans, and veterinary toxoids are in
           wide use.




                                        PIAGUE



           CLINICAL SYNDROME.

             Plague is a zoonotic disease caused by Yersinia pes@,    a
           gram negative, non-spore forming, bacillus. Under natural
           conditions, humans become infested through skin inoculation
           (flea bite or direct animal contact), and only rarely via
           aerosol. A biological warfare attack with plague bacilli could
           be delivered via contaminated vectors (fleas) or, more likely,
           via aerosol. The clinical picture seen would depend upon the
           route of delivery.


             Clinical Features. The incubation period ranges from 2 to
           10 days. Three primary syndromes are described: bubonic,
           primary septicemic, and pneumonic. In bubonic plague, onset is
           acute and often fulminant, with high fever, systemic signs and
           symptoms, and exquisitely tender lymph node or nodes. The
           hallmark of bubonic plague, the bubo, represents a


                                          13



                                        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