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Swiss scientists find new testing system for anthrax

A Swiss research team has developed a simpler and more accurate testing system, for the deadly disease anthrax, than those already in existence, Swiss Radio International (SRI) reported on Wednesday.

The new approach could be used in testing for anthrax spores, which are used in biological warfare, the report said.

The last serious anthrax attack occurred in October 2001 in the United States, during which five people died from contaminated letters sent to political and media organizations. This flagged the need for fast and reliable anti-anthrax tests.

The Swiss researchers finally successfully created an immunological test that gives accurate results in minutes. This is in contrast to more time-consuming and expensive genetic methods.

"An immunological test takes five to ten minutes to work and it's very important that you get a quick response," said Peter Seeberger, an organic chemistry professor at the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, who took part in the research.

"If you are treated within the first 24-48 hours, your chances of survival are good, if not, your chances of dying are 95 percent or greater," he said.

Until now it has been difficult to create a reliable immunological test -- which detects a substance through its antibody-creating reaction with the immune system -- because the spore cell surface of anthrax is too similar to those of other bacteria.

"Right now there are antibody-based systems being used in post offices in the U.S.," said Seeberger.

"The problem is that anthrax cell surface proteins and those of other closely related bacteria are identical so what you get from the tests are false positives -- so it may be that a harmless bacterium is present but it gives you a positive readout."

However, Seeberger and his team recently discovered a unique sugar on the surface of anthrax spores.

As isolating the sugar from the deadly bacteria was not possible, scientists had to recreate the substance from scratch.

The molecule was then attached to a special carrier protein and injected into mice. The rodents' immune systems reacted, producing antibodies which were specific to the surface molecule.

Seeberger hoped that the new antibody would be the basis for a highly sensitive anthrax diagnostic system and also for new vaccines.

"I think it would be very useful and it could be important for testing against biowarfare," said Seeberger.

The system could be used by the authorities, post offices and medics responding to potential anthrax threats, as well as by armies in the field, he added.

Seeberger said his team was already in discussions with interested companies. He hoped that the future development work could be done in Switzerland, but said it might be done in the United States.

Anthrax is an infectious disease caused by a spore-forming bacterium -- Bacillus anthracis. It normally affects wild and domestic animals such as goats and sheep.

It can infect humans in three ways: through inhaling anthrax spores, by eating infected meat that has not been cooked sufficiently and by absorption through the skin.

The latest research by Swiss scientists has been published in the online edition of the academic journal Angewandte Chemie (Applied Chemistry).



		Swiss scientists find new testing system for anthrax A Swiss research team has developed a simpler and more accurate testing system, for the deadly disease anthrax, than those already in existence, Swiss Radio International (SRI) reported on Wednesday. The new approach could be used in testing for anthrax spores, which are used in biological warfare, the report said. The last serious anthrax attack occurred in October 2001 in the United States, during which five people died from contaminated letters sent to political and media organizations. This flagged the need for fast and reliable anti-anthrax tests. The Swiss researchers finally successfully created an immunological test that gives accurate results in minutes. This is in contrast to more time-consuming and expensive genetic methods. "An immunological test takes five to ten minutes to work and it's very important that you get a quick response," said Peter Seeberger, an organic chemistry professor at the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, who took part in the research. "If you are treated within the first 24-48 hours, your chances of survival are good, if not, your chances of dying are 95 percent or greater," he said. Until now it has been difficult to create a reliable immunological test -- which detects a substance through its antibody-creating reaction with the immune system -- because the spore cell surface of anthrax is too similar to those of other bacteria. "Right now there are antibody-based systems being used in post offices in the U.S.," said Seeberger. "The problem is that anthrax cell surface proteins and those of other closely related bacteria are identical so what you get from the tests are false positives -- so it may be that a harmless bacterium is present but it gives you a positive readout." However, Seeberger and his team recently discovered a unique sugar on the surface of anthrax spores. As isolating the sugar from the deadly bacteria was not possible, scientists had to recreate the substance from scratch. The molecule was then attached to a special carrier protein and injected into mice. The rodents' immune systems reacted, producing antibodies which were specific to the surface molecule. Seeberger hoped that the new antibody would be the basis for a highly sensitive anthrax diagnostic system and also for new vaccines. "I think it would be very useful and it could be important for testing against biowarfare," said Seeberger. The system could be used by the authorities, post offices and medics responding to potential anthrax threats, as well as by armies in the field, he added. Seeberger said his team was already in discussions with interested companies. He hoped that the future development work could be done in Switzerland, but said it might be done in the United States. Anthrax is an infectious disease caused by a spore-forming bacterium -- Bacillus anthracis. It normally affects wild and domestic animals such as goats and sheep. It can infect humans in three ways: through inhaling anthrax spores, by eating infected meat that has not been cooked sufficiently and by absorption through the skin. The latest research by Swiss scientists has been published in the online edition of the academic journal Angewandte Chemie (Applied Chemistry).


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