MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL

File: 970101_sep96_decls37_0015.txt
Page: 0015
Total Pages: 23

Subject: MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL                     

Unit: OTSG        

Parent Organization: HSC         

Box  ID: BX003201

Folder Title: MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL                                                     

Document Number:       1001

Folder Seq  #:         31




                                        UNCLASSIFIED









                               CLOSTRIDIUM PERE'RINGENS



          CLINICAL SXNDROME

             Clostridiiim nprfrinapns is a common anaerobic bacterium
          associated with three distinct disease syndromes: (a) gas
          gangrene or clostridial myonecrosis; (b) enteritis necroticans
          (pig-bel); and (c) clostridial food poisoning. Each of these
          syndromes has very specific requirements for delivery inocula
          of C perfringens to specific sites to induce disease, and it is
          difficult to envision a gernal scenario in which the spores or
          vegetative organisms could be used as a biowarfare agent.
          There are, however, at least 12 protein toxins elaborated, and
          one or more of these could be produced, concentrated, and used
          as a weapon. Waterborne disease is conceivable, but unlikely.
          The best available speculation (based on virtually no
          exploratory data with which to sharpen our conclusions) is that
          the alpha toxin would be lethal by aerosol. This is a well
          characterized, highly toxic phospholipase C. Other toxins from
          the organism might be co-weaponized and enhance effectiveness.
          For example, the epsilon toxin is neurotoxic in laboratory
          animals.

             Clinical Featyres. The clinical picture of aerosolized Q
                      alpha toxin would be expected to be that of a
          serious acute pulmonary insult. Absorbed toxin could produce
          vascular leak, hemolysis, thrombocytopenia, liver damage, etc.
          Other toxins could modify the event.


          DTA(',NOSTS

             0 Routin@                        Clinical laboratory
             findings might include anemia  (due to intravascular
             hemolysis), thronbocytopenia, elevated serum transaminases
             and hypoxia.

             0 T)iffprential Diagn@. Pulmonary signs might lead to
onfusion with SEB initially. Liver damage, hemolytic
             anemia, and thrombocytopenia are not associated with SEB,
             and the pulmonary findings should be reversible in SEB.

             . (;nor-            ry Diagnosis. Acute serum and tissue
             samples should be collected and rapidly transported to a
             reference laboratory. Specific immunoassays are available;
             however, their utility in diagnosis of human disease is
             unproven.

                                          12
                                                   UNCLASSIFIED

Document 23 f:/Week-36/BX003201/MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL/medical defense against biological material:12249609313138
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-36
Box ID = BX003201
Unit = OTSG
Parent Organization = HSC
Folder Title = MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL
Folder Seq # = 31
Subject = MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL
Document Seq # = 1001
Document Date =
Scan Date =
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 24-DEC-1996