Bacillus anthracis is the etiologic agent responsible for anthrax. The most deadly form of anthrax, as well as the form exploited for use as a biological weapon, is inhalation anthrax, in which spores are inhaled and germinate inside alveolar macrophages in the lung, eventually leading to a systemic infection. Although the mechanism of anthrax intoxication is relatively well understood, virulent Bacillus anthracis continues to represent a significant health threat. (See, e.g., “The Anthrax Toxin Complex” by S. H. Leppla, Sourcebook of Bacterial Protein Toxins, p. 277, J. E. Alouf (ed.), Academic Press, London (1991)).
USPTO Backgrounds
USPTO Backgrounds