7 Deadly myths.

• Author: Kirman, Irena
• Position: READER'S FORUM - Letter to the editor

* We read with both interest and alarm the article entitled "Seven Deadly Myths about Weapons of Terror" (June 2009). We are concerned about the statements relating to countering biological terrorism. (2nd Myth: Big-Budget Technology is Needed to Counter Biological Terrorism)

Statement: It takes a highly skilled individual with special equipment to "mill" the anthrax spores.

Comment: The equipment needed to develop an aerosolized pathogen and distribute it widely is readily available, at low cost and is used routinely in the pharmaceutical industry and in agricultural activities.

Statement: If an individual is treated with antibiotics shortly after inhaling anthrax spores, the infection usually can be cured.

Comment: Your argument is based on the premise that antibiotics are available, administered quickly enough and a full course is taken and the antibiotics are actually effective against the strain of B. anthracis. The logistical challenges in distributing medical countermeasures to a large population in a timely manner are well documented. A less well known fact is that antibiotic resistant anthrax bacilli are widely found in nature and accessible from repositories worldwide. An antibiotic resistant strain of B. anthracis can be easily developed from a common strain in short period of time, by individuals with only basic skills in microbiology. A student from a county college, not a Ph.D scientist, should be able to complete this task. Anthrax caused by resistant strains cannot be cured with antibiotics or post exposure use of vaccines.

Statement: A prompt response with effective medical countermeasures, such as antibiotics and vaccination, can potentially blunt the impact of an attack.

It takes several weeks to develop an adequate immune response to the pathogen, and even in healthy adults, not all individuals develop a protective immunologic response when vaccinated. Importantly, our growing elderly or immuno-compromised population may not be able to develop protective immunity because of their diminished immune response.

Our nation's experience in the treating of clinical anthrax is very limited. Two cases of naturally occurring inhalation anthrax reported during the last two years suggest that severe forms of the disease are not readily treatable with currently available antibiotics and/or with polyclonal immunoglobulins, and that novel therapeutic agents are desperately needed.

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Currently existing treatment...