Biosensors are analytical devices combining a physical sensor with a part of biological origin providing sensitivity and selectivity toward analyte. Biological warfare agents are infectious microorganisms or toxins with the capability to harm or kill humans. They can be produced and spread by a military or misused by a terrorist group. For example, Bacillus anthracis, Francisella tularensis, Brucella sp., Yersinia pestis, staphylococcal enterotoxin B, botulinum toxin and orthopoxviruses are typical biological warfare agents. Biosensors for biological warfare agents serve as simple but reliable analytical tools for the both field and laboratory assay. There are examples of commercially available biosensors, but research and development of new types continue and their application in praxis can be expected in the future. This review summarizes the facts and role of biosensors in the biological warfare agents' assay, and shows current commercially available devices and trends in research of the news. Survey of actual literature is provided.

• Klíčová slova
• Bacillus anthracis, anthrax, bioassay, biological warfare agent, biological weapon, biosensor, colorimetry, electrochemistry, hand held assay, hemorrhagic fever, tularemia,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to investigate biochemical and oxidative stress responses to experimental F. tularensis infection in European brown hares, an important source of human tularemia infections. METHODS: For these purposes we compared the development of an array of biochemical parameters measured in blood plasma using standard procedures of dry chemistry as well as electrochemical devices following a subcutaneous infection with a wild Francisella tularensis subsp. holarctica strain (a single dose of 2.6 × 10⁹ CFU pro toto). RESULTS: Subcutaneous inoculation of a single dose with 2.6 × 10⁹ colony forming units of a wild F. tularensis strain pro toto resulted in the death of two out of five hares. Plasma chemistry profiles were examined on days 2 to 35 post-infection. When compared to controls, the total protein, urea, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were increased, while albumin, glucose and amylase were decreased. Both uric and ascorbic acids and glutathione dropped on day 2 and then increased significantly on days 6 to 12 and 6 to 14 post-inoculation, respectively. There was a two-fold increase in lipid peroxidation on days 4 to 8 post-inoculation. CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to all expectations, the present study demonstrates that the European brown hare shows relatively low susceptibility to tularemia. Therefore, the circumstances of tularemia in hares under natural conditions should be further studied.

• MeSH
• časové faktory MeSH
• Francisella tularensis * MeSH
• látky reagující s kyselinou thiobarbiturovou MeSH
• oxidační stres * MeSH
• sérový albumin metabolismus   MeSH
• tularemie metabolismus   patologie   veterinární   MeSH
• zajíci * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• látky reagující s kyselinou thiobarbiturovou MeSH
• sérový albumin MeSH

There are three most important bacterial causative agents of serious infections that could be misused for warfare purposes: Bacillus anthracis (the causative agent of anthrax) is the most frequently mentioned one; however, Fracisella tularensis (causing tularemia) and Yersinia pestis (the causative agent of plague) are further bacterial agents enlisted by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention into the category A of potential biological weapons. This review intends to summarize basic information about these bacterial agents. Military aspects of their pathogenesis and the detection techniques suitable for field use are discussed.

• MeSH
• antrax mikrobiologie   MeSH
• Bacillus anthracis * izolace a purifikace   patogenita   MeSH
• biologická válka MeSH
• biologické bojové látky * MeSH
• Francisella tularensis * izolace a purifikace   patogenita   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mor mikrobiologie   MeSH
• tularemie mikrobiologie   MeSH
• Yersinia pestis * izolace a purifikace   patogenita   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Spojené státy americké MeSH
• Názvy látek
• biologické bojové látky * MeSH

Editorial note concerning the "Utilization of Electrochemical Sensors and Biosensors in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology" special issue.

• Klíčová slova
• Utilization of Electrochemical Sensors and Biosensors in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology,
• Publikační typ
• úvodníky MeSH

An amperometric biosensor based on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) immobilized in gelatin was used to develop an assay for the organophosphate paraoxon. The more traditional manner employing preincubation was used for comparison between measurement procedures, although the aim of the study was to examine the performance of the biosensor for real time monitoring of organophosphates. The biosensor was immersed in a reaction chamber and paraoxon was injected inside. We were able to detect 200 pg of paraoxon within one minute or 2.5 ppb when the biosensor was preincubed in the sample solution for 15 minutes. The practical impact and expectations are discussed.

• Klíčová slova
• Organophosphate, acetylcholinesterase, assay, biosensor, electrochemical, paraoxon,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

An electrochemical sensor is introduced as a tool applicable for diagnosis of intoxication by cholinesterase inhibitors caused by the well-known nerve agent VX. The traditional Ellman method was chosen for comparison with the sensor's analytical parameters. Both methods are based on estimation of blood cholinesterase inhibition as a marker of intoxication. While Ellman´s method provided a limit of detection of 5.2´10-7 M for blood containing VX, the electrochemical sensor was able to detect 4.0´10-7 M. Good correlation between both methods was observed (R = 0.92). The electrochemical sensor could be considered a convenient tool for a fast yet accurate method, easily available for field as well as laboratory use. Time and cost savings are key features of the sensor-based assay.

• Klíčová slova
• Organophosphate, biosensor, carbamate, diagnosis, intoxication,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH