IITRI Advances Study of Anthrax Decontamination Agents

When Dr. Bruce Gingras tested a product designed to kill Bacillus anthracis in 1999, he could not have foreseen that, two years later, it would be used in the wake of a biological terrorist attack on government buildings and post offices in late 2001.

As senior microbiologist for IITRI's Microbiology and Immunology Division, Dr. Gingras tested a formulation developed by Sandia National Laboratories of Albuquerque, NM, for its bactericidal effectiveness against B. anthracis spores in the summer of 1999.

The tests involved screening assays to determine the ability of various formulations to induce a 7-log reduction, or 99.99999% kill rate, in the number of viable organisms. The tests screened for a disinfectant's ability to kill organisms either in solution or on inanimate surfaces.

	"This product will be a valuable tool that will provide us with a quicker, better method for detecting B. anthracis in environmental samples." Dr. Bruce Gingras, Senior Microbiologist Microbiology and Immunology

The decon foam, as it is commonly known, was proven to be effective in killing B. anthracis spores. And, while traditional decontamination products typically are based on bleach, chlorinated solvents or other hazardous or corrosive materials, this formulation, containing ordinary household substances such as those found in hair conditioner and toothpaste, is nontoxic, non-corrosive, environmentally friendly and versatile.

The decon foam was used by federal authorities to help rid the Capitol buildings of B. anthracis in late November 2001. Cleanup workers took quantities of the formulation with them into Congressional office buildings as one of the decontamination products selected to help remediate the Hart Senate Office Complex and the Dirkson and Ford Congressional Offices in Washington, D.C. The foam also was used to decontaminate mailrooms on Capitol Hill, several U.S. Post Offices along the Eastern Seaboard, and the headquarters of two U.S. television networks contaminated with B. anthracis.

9-11 Sparks Demand for IITRI's Decon Testing Services

As a result of the threat of biological terrorism, IITRI has been involved in testing the efficacy of microbicidal agents against B. anthracis spores and vegetative bacteria for several corporate sponsors in the chemical disinfection industry. "Since Sept. 11, IITRI's B. anthracis decon testing services have been in high demand, as companies seek to expand the spectrum of microbicidal action of their products against this new threat of B. anthracis spores," said Dr. Gingras, who received his doctorate degree in Parasitology from Tulane University, New Orleans, LA.

Registered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to receive B. anthracis, IITRI offers quick turnaround time in completing screenings of microbicidal agents. "I literally have turned things around for people in eight days," Dr. Gingras said. "I think that's a real benefit to the sponsors."

Agar Developed to Aid in Detection of B. anthracis

In addition to testing microbicides, IITRI also is assisting in the development of a chromogenic media for use in detection of B. anthracis. Three closely related strains of bacteria - B. anthracis, B. cereus and B. thuringiensis - look remarkably similar and are difficult to distinguish. The goal in developing the chromogenic agar is to distinguish B. anthracis from its close relatives, which are considerably less harmful.

"This product will be a valuable tool that will provide us with a quicker, better method for detecting B. anthracis in environmental samples," said Dr. Gingras, who oversees the project. "Now the testing process takes two to three days; we propose to do it in 24 hours with this new media."

IITRI scientists have supported government and private industry in the identification and characterization of chemical and biological hazards for more than 40 years.

IITRI's chemical surety facility, operated under bailment agreement with the Department of Defense for more than 15 years, is licensed for the use of neat chemical agents and recently received the CP² award as it achieved ISO 9000 accreditation.

Research on rapid and more sensitive extraction, detection and identification methods for biological warfare agents is currently under way.