Functional analysis of Bacillus anthracis protective antigen by using neutralizing monoclonal antibodies.

Protective antigen (PA) is central to the action of the lethal and edema toxins produced by Bacillus anthracis. It is the common cell-binding component, mediating the translocation of the enzymatic moieties (lethal factor [LF] and edema factor) into the cytoplasm of the host cell. Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against PA, able to neutralize the activities of the toxins in vitro and in vivo, were screened.

Diversity among French Bacillus anthracis isolates.

While outbreaks of animal anthrax zoonoses still regularly occur in France, little is known about the epidemiology links between them. We have used the eight-locus multilocus variable-number tandem repeat analysis typing technique against a collection of 50 Bacillus anthracis isolates from France. There were eight distinct genotypes belonging to two dissimilar genetic clusters.

Anthrax spores make an essential contribution to vaccine efficacy.

Anthrax is caused by Bacillus anthracis, a gram-positive spore-forming bacterium. Septicemia and toxemia rapidly lead to death in infected mammal hosts. Currently used acellular vaccines against anthrax consist of protective antigen (PA), one of the anthrax toxin components.