This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Higgins, J. A. Articles by Perdue, M. L. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Higgins, J. A. Articles by Perdue, M. L. Agricola Articles by Higgins, J. A. Articles by Perdue, M. L.

A Field Investigation of Bacillus anthracis Contamination of U.S. Department of Agriculture and Other Washington, D.C., Buildings during the Anthrax Attack of October 2001

U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, Maryland,¹ National Veterinary Service Laboratory, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Ames, Iowa,² Critical Response Engineering, Inc., Alexandria, Virginia,³ Office of the Administrator, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Washington, D.C.⁴

Received 25 June 2002/ Accepted 4 October 2002

In response to a bioterrorism attack in the Washington, D.C., area in October 2001, a mobile laboratory (ML) was set up in the city to conduct rapid molecular tests on environmental samples for the presence of Bacillus anthracis spores and to route samples for further culture analysis. The ML contained class I laminar-flow hoods, a portable autoclave, two portable real-time PCR devices (Ruggedized Advanced Pathogen Identification Device [RAPID]), and miscellaneous supplies and equipment to process samples. Envelopes and swab and air samples collected from 30 locations in the metropolitan area once every three days were subjected to visual examination and DNA extraction, followed by real-time PCR using freeze-dried, fluorescent-probe-based reagents. Surface swabs and air samples were also cultured for B. anthracis at the National Veterinary Service Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa. From 24 October 2001 to 15 September 2002, 2,092 pieces of mail were examined, 405 real-time PCR assays were performed (comprising 4,639 samples), and at the NVSL 6,275 samples were subjected to over 18,000 platings. None of the PCR assays on DNA extracted from swab and air samples were positive, but viable spores were cultured from surface swabs taken from six locations in the metropolitan area in October, November, and December 2001 and February, March, and May 2002. DNA extracted from these suspected B. anthracis colonies was positive by real-time and conventional PCRs for the lethal factor, pXO1, and for capA and vrr genes; sequence analysis of the latter amplicons indicated >99% homology with the Ames, vollum, B6273-93, C93022281, and W-21 strains of B. anthracis, suggesting they arose from cross-contamination during the attack through the mail. The RAPID-based PCR analysis provided fast confirmation of suspect colonies from an overnight incubation on agar plates.

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Saikaly, P. E., Barlaz, M. A., de los Reyes, F. L. III (2007). Development of Quantitative Real-Time PCR Assays for Detection and Quantification of Surrogate Biological Warfare Agents in Building Debris and Leachate. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 73: 6557-6565 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Budowle, B., Schutzer, S. E., Burans, J. P., Beecher, D. J., Cebula, T. A., Chakraborty, R., Cobb, W. T., Fletcher, J., Hale, M. L., Harris, R. B., Heitkamp, M. A., Keller, F. P., Kuske, C., LeClerc, J. E., Marrone, B. L., McKenna, T. S., Morse, S. A., Rodriguez, L. L., Valentine, N. B., Yadev, J. (2006). Quality sample collection, handling, and preservation for an effective microbial forensics program.. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 72: 6431-6438 [Full Text]  
• Hodges, L. R., Rose, L. J., Peterson, A., Noble-Wang, J., Arduino, M. J. (2006). Evaluation of a Macrofoam Swab Protocol for the Recovery of Bacillus anthracis Spores from a Steel Surface.. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 72: 4429-4430 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Espy, M. J., Uhl, J. R., Sloan, L. M., Buckwalter, S. P., Jones, M. F., Vetter, E. A., Yao, J. D. C., Wengenack, N. L., Rosenblatt, J. E., Cockerill, F. R. III, Smith, T. F. (2006). Real-Time PCR in Clinical Microbiology: Applications for Routine Laboratory Testing. Clin. Microbiol. Rev. 19: 165-256 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Chandler, D. P., Alferov, O., Chernov, B., Daly, D. S., Golova, J., Perov, A., Protic, M., Robison, R., Schipma, M., White, A., Willse, A. (2006). Diagnostic Oligonucleotide Microarray Fingerprinting of Bacillus Isolates. J. Clin. Microbiol. 44: 244-250 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Brasel, T. L., Martin, J. M., Carriker, C. G., Wilson, S. C., Straus, D. C. (2005). Detection of Airborne Stachybotrys chartarum Macrocyclic Trichothecene Mycotoxins in the Indoor Environment. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 71: 7376-7388 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Lim, D. V., Simpson, J. M., Kearns, E. A., Kramer, M. F. (2005). Current and Developing Technologies for Monitoring Agents of Bioterrorism and Biowarfare. Clin. Microbiol. Rev. 18: 583-607 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Buttner, M. P., Cruz, P., Stetzenbach, L. D., Klima-Comba, A. K., Stevens, V. L., Cronin, T. D. (2004). Determination of the Efficacy of Two Building Decontamination Strategies by Surface Sampling with Culture and Quantitative PCR Analysis. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 70: 4740-4747 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Williams, D. D., Benedek, O., Turnbough, C. L. Jr. (2003). Species-Specific Peptide Ligands for the Detection of Bacillus anthracis Spores. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 69: 6288-6293 [Abstract] [Full Text]