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File: 970101_sep96_decls37_0016.txt
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
The enterotoxin can be detected in fecal samples from human
food-poisoning cases, and bacteria are readily cultured from
clinical samples.
THERAPY
No specific treatment is available for C. perfringens
intoxication. Humans with enteritis necroticans have been
treated with antitoxin with some success.
The organism itself is sensitive to penicillin, and,
consequently, this is the current drug of choice. Recent data
indicate that clindamycin or rifampin may suppress toxin
production, and provide superior results in animal models.
PROPHYLAXIS. There is no available prophylaxis for C.
I?erfringens intoxication. Toxoids are being used to prevent
enteritis necroticans in humans, and veterinary toxoids are in
wide use.
PIAGUE
CLINICAL SYNDROME.
Plague is a zoonotic disease caused by Yersinia pestis, a
gram negative, non-spore forming, bacillus. Under natural
conditions, humans become infested through skin inoculation
(flea bite or direct animal contact), and only rarely via
aerosol. A biological warfare attack with plague bacilli could
be delivered via contaminated vectors (fleas) or, more likely,
via aerosol. The clinical picture seen would depend upon the
route of delivery.
Clinical Features. The incubation period ranges from 2 to
10 days. Three primary syndromes are described: bubonic,
primary septicemic, and pneumonic. In bubonic plague, onset is
acute and often fulminant, with high fever, systemic signs and
symptoms, and exquisitely tender lymph node or nodes. The
hallmark of bubonic plague, the bubo, represents a
13
UNCLASSIFIED
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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