RESPONSE TO THE BIOLOGICAL WARFARE BW THREAT 20 AUG 90

File: 120396_sep96_decls54_0015.txt
Page: 0015
Total Pages: 16

Subject: RESPONSE TO THE BIOLOGICAL WARFARE BW THREAT 20 AUG 90          

Unit: OTSG        

Parent Organization: HSC         

Box ID: BX003201

Folder Title: OPERATION DESERT SHIELD RESPONSE TO THE BIOLOGICAL WARFARE BW THREAT                            

Document Number:          1

Folder SEQ  #:         45








                                CLOSTRIDIUM PERFRINGENS



               I      CLINICAL SYNDRONM

               Clostridium perfringens is a common anaerobic bacterium associated with
         three distinct disease syndromes: (a) gas gangrene or clostridial myonecrosis,
         (b) enteritis necroticans (pig-bel), (c) clostridial food poisoning. Each of these
         syndromes has very specific requirements for.delivering inocula of C.
         perfrineens to specific sites to induce disease, and it is difficult to envision a
         general 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. Waterbome 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.
         Clinical Features: The clinical picture of aerosolized @ perfrin2ens alpha toxin
         would be expected to be that of a serious acute pulmonary insult. Absorbed
         alpha toxin could produce vascular leak, hemolysis, thrombocytopenia, liver
         damage, etc. Other toxins admixed could modify the event.
               11 DIAGNOSIS
               Clinical laboratory findings might include anemia (due to intravascular
         hemolysis), thrombocytopenia, elevated ALT, and hypoxia.
               Differential diagnosis: Pulmonary signs might lead to confusion with SEB
         initially. Liver damage, hemolytic anemia, and thrombocytopenia are not
         associated with SEB, and the pulmonary findings should be reversible in SEB.


                                                15                  "WWI
                                                      DRAti-I

Document 16 f:/Week-36/BX003201/OPERATION DESERT SHIELD RESPONSE TO THE BIOLOGICAL WARFARE BW THREAT/response to the biological warfare bw threat 20 :11229616342212
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-36
Box ID = BX003201
Unit = OTSG
Parent Organization = HSC
Folder Title = OPERATION DESERT SHIELD RESPONSE TO THE BIOLOGICAL WARFARE BW THREAT
Folder Seq # = 45
Subject = RESPONSE TO THE BIOLOGICAL WARFARE BW THREAT 20
Document Seq # = 1
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 = 22-NOV-1996