**2. Classification of foodborne bacteria as potential bioterrorist weapons**

focused on the aerosol infections, as airborne microorganisms can easily affect many people and lead to maximal morbidity when entering the respiratory tract. However, in some cases, the aim of a bioterrorist attack is not to achieve high lethality but also to produce fear, panic, and chaos in the community. In this context, the intentional dissemination of bacterial agents

The first attempts to use the pathogenic properties of some microorganisms in a destructive manner dated many centuries ago. In particular, bacteria causing food poisoning were extremely suitable as many of them (plague, cholera) were epidemically spread in the past and easily available for war and bioterrorist purposes. The plague is a typical example with many naturally occurred outbreaks and one well-documented intentional epidemic in human history: in 1346, during the Tatar siege of Caffa on the Crimean Peninsula, infected corpses have been catapulted in the city to cause a local outbreak which finally resulted in one of the

In the beginning of the twentieth century, biological agents were used on a scientific basis by different national governments for war purposes. The effects of anthrax, cholera, glanders, dysentery, tetanus, typhus, salmonella, tularemia, and typhus with pox were less or more successfully studied and tested on animals and humans [1–3]. Comprehensive studies on the use of botulinum toxin were also undertaken during World War II, especially by the US government which intended to use prostitutes to assassinate Japanese officers by gelatin capsules

In the next decades, despite the ratification of a Convention on the prohibition of the development, production and stockpiling of bacteriological (biological) and toxin weapons and on their destruction (usually referred to as the Biological Weapons Convention) in 1972–1975, most of the countries have continued to work and design new biological agents to be used as weapons in eventual war conflicts. In such a way, fundamental knowledge was gained and it

At the end of the twentieth century, the changed geopolitical situation resulted in less confrontation between the countries but in the appearance of different political, religious, or nationalistic extremist movements with well-qualified and motivated members, prepared to use the available knowledge and technologies. Between 1990 and 1995, at least three bioterrorist attacks with botulinum neurotoxin failed in Japan [5]. During the same decade, the international community found thousands of litters of botulinum toxin, anthrax, and aflatoxin

The biggest bioterrorist attack in the USA occurred in 1984 with a foodborne pathogen— *Salmonella typhimurium—*which was used to contaminate salad bars in restaurants in Oregon [7]. Members of the religious commune "Bhagawan Shree Rajneesh" tried to sabotage the

In 1996, intentionally contaminated muffins and doughnuts caused severe gastroenteritis in 12 laboratory staff members in a large laboratory in the USA [8]. The investigations revealed *Shigella dysenteriae* type 2, identical to the laboratory's stock strain, as the causative agent of

the outbreak. However, the origin and the purpose of this attack remained unknown.

causing food poisoning is a potential bioterrorist threat.

most devastating epidemics in Europe—the Black Death [1].

was just a question of time to be used for destructive purposes.

in Iraq that were ready to be used as mass destruction weapons [6].

local elections and succeeded in infecting 751 persons.

loaded with botulinum toxin [4].

52 Food Safety - Some Global Trends

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognizes three categories of biological agents in respect of bioterrorism [9]:



**Table 1.** Categories of foodborne bacteria (and their corresponding diseases) as possible bioterrorist agents (according to [9]).

• Category C: These include the third highest priority agents, which are emerging pathogens that could be easily engineered. They have potential for high morbidity and mortality rates and major health impacts.

Currently, botulinum toxin is considered as the strongest toxic substance in the world—1 g may cause the death of millions of people. The symptoms of botulism, as well as the bacterial characteristics, classify *Clostridium botulinum* in category A of biological agents with the potential to be used as a terroristic tool (**Table 1**). The disease is associated with severe neuromuscular damage, urgent need of hospitalization, and intubation. In the case of massive infection, the hospital infrastructure of any country could not provide adequate care for all patients. In addition, the bacterium has a high morbidity and relatively easy cultivation and transport. The transmission via aerosols is considered to be the most dangerous in a potential bioterrorist attack, but the alimentary mechanism of infection spread is also possible, as it is

Foodborne Bacteria: Potential Bioterrorism Agents http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.75965 55

The typical clinical manifestation of descendent flaccid paralysis put botulism in a specific category but misdiagnosis is common and represents an additional issue in a hypothetical bioterrorist act. In 1985, a major outbreak of botulism in Vancouver had remained unrecognized for a long time. Twenty-eight individuals were infected with contaminated restaurant food but were hospitalized with different diagnoses before the proper epidemiological inves-

*Yersinia pestis* is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium, which causes plague. Currently, *Yersinia pestis* strains are endemic in areas in Southeast Asia, Africa, and North and South America. Natural reservoirs are wild and synanthropic rodents, which are infected by fleas bites. People are usually accidental hosts but are extremely sensitive to the infec-

*Yersinia pestis* produces both exo- and endotoxins and a variety of different enzymes to enhance its virulence. The generation time is very short and infection with one bacterial cell

The plague is a high-priority pathogen with endemic occurrence and with a high tendency for epidemic and pandemic spread. The main clinical forms are bubonic, pneumonic, intestinal, and septicemic. The proper diagnosis is based on the symptoms of the patient and the epidemiological history. The bubonic plague manifests with swollen lymph nodes, fever, malaise, and fatigue. The septicemic and pneumonic forms are more challenging for diagnosis, as their symptoms are

The treatment involves streptomycin, tetracycline, or levofloxacin administration. Antibiotic

Pneumonic plague may be a devastating weapon in biological war. In contrast to the bubonic form of the disease, it can be transmitted person to person via air droplets [17]. Epidemiology of an intentionally caused outbreak will differ significantly from the naturally occurring infections. The most possible way of transmission will be again the release of bacteria in the form of aerosols [18], but other attacks, such as food or water poisoning, are also possible. The first symptoms of such a hypothetical epidemic will be indistinguishable from other pneumonic or intestinal diseases. The size of the damage will depend on the quantity of the material

identical to those of other Gram-negative septicemia and respiratory diseases [16].

resistance is rarely observed, but the therapy should start in time.

historically well known although logistically limited [5, 6].

tigation [14].

tion [15].

**3.2.** *Yersinia pestis*

may result in the death of the host.

**Table 1** shows which foodborne bacterial pathogens fall into these three categories of potential biological weapons. *Bacillus anthracis* is the bacterium most likely to be used as a bioterrorist agent because its spores are widely spread in nature and it easily grows under nonspecific conditions in the laboratory. Anthrax spores can be released at any place as aerosols but also can be put in food and drink. However, airborne route of transmission is more dangerous for the society and therefore preferred for terroristic purposes. Historically no intentional cases of foodborne transmission of anthrax are cited and as the objective of this chapter is to summarize food poisoning agents as potential biological weapons, *Bacillus anthracis* should not be considered further in the text.
