The following reviews highlight projects that are using technology to rapidly detect and counter bioterrorism threats and prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
Nanoparticles as biohazard treatment
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory (University of Chicago, IL, USA) are testing a system that would cleanse the blood of toxins using tiny magnetic particles and an external magnetic separator. As shown in the Figure (this page), the developers are studying the magnetised nanoparticles with a laser, which assesses the particles' size, shape, stability against coagulation, and surface charge.
Figure.
© 2004 Argonne Laboratory
Currently available detoxification methods—primarily dialysis and filtration techniques—work only with a few types of toxins and are both costly and time-consuming, according to the researchers. Therefore, their use is limited to patients with kidney failure and certain types of drug overdoses. For most biohazard exposures, supportive treatment is the only option.
The new biohazard detoxification system would use biodegradable nanoparticles coated with polyethylene (to prevent destruction by white blood cells), containing both a magnetic iron compound and a protein that binds to a specific toxin. The particles would be injected intravenously into the circulation. To remove the nanoparticles and attached toxins, a small dual-channel shunt inserted into the arm or leg would circulate blood to and from the magnetic separator, where powerful magnets would immobilise the iron-based particles, allowing cleansed blood to flow back into the body. Recent tests in rats showed promise, the research team reports. For more information seehttp://www.anl.gov/OPA/whatsnew/031107nanodetox.htm
“Nanofingers” to support chemical sensors
Nanotechnology is also being used to develop relatively inexpensive devices to detect toxic chemicals in the air. Ohio University researchers reported at the International Conference on Materials for Advanced Technologies (December 7–12 in Singapore;http://www.mrs.org.sg/icmat2003) that they have found an easy way to carve the surface of ceramic material into tiny filaments, or “nano-fingers” (Figure, this page), creating a sensor platform. Work has advanced to the point that a penny-sized sample of the material can detect the presence of hydrogen. For more information seehttp://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/nanofing.htm
© 2004 Sehoon Yoo, Ohio State University
Smallpox research grid
Grid computing—harnessing the power of individual computers to create a virtual “supercomputer”—has been used to screen molecules that show promise against anthrax and certain forms of cancer. Another ongoing project, the Smallpox Research Grid, takes a similar approach. Users download a software “agent” that screens antismallpox molecules when their computer is otherwise idle. Data on the molecules are regularly uploaded to the grid's server for evaluation. The website provides full instructions, a frequently asked questions page, and online discussion groups. The project is funded by the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases and IBM, with support from various technology companies, universities, and medical centres. For more information seehttp://www.grid.org/projects/smallpox
Electronic disease surveillance in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's web-based public-health reporting system recently played an important role in identifying the source and curtailing the spread of a state-wide hepatitis A outbreak. The system—Pennsylvania's National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (PA-NEDSS)—was called into action when an emergency physician in Pittsburgh called the state's health department after seeing several patients with the same symptoms. PA-NEDSS “soon found the common thread among everyone with the illness”, according to a report in Government Computer News (http://www.gcn.com/vol1_no1/web/24189-11.html).
PA-NEDSS is part of a national initiative driven by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The system serves as a “web channel for physicians, hospitals, laboratories, clinicians, and other health care providers” to report communicable and infectious diseases to both the state health department and to the CDC. More than 121 000 reports have been submitted to date.
For more information seehttp://www.mtlsd.org/district/stuff/pahealthalert62.pdf http://www.cdc.gov/phin/conference_presentations/05-15-03/8A/PA_NEDSS_Features_Specs.pdf http://www.mtlsd.org/district/stuff/pahealthalert62.pdf http://www.cdc.gov/phin/conference_presentations/05-15-03/8A/PA_NEDSS_Features_Specs.pdf
China and USA gear up for SARS
The national severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) control and reporting system went into operation in China on November 6, 2003, to provide 24-hour online monitoring and consultation about the disease. Li Liming, director of the Chinese Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, is quoted as saying that the system “will guarantee fast reporting of new SARS cases”. Up to 20 000 users—who can access SARS medical information and receive online consulting—can be accommodated at the same time.
Several days earlier, the US CDC released a draft plan outlining the US response to a SARS outbreak. The plan includes a web-based reporting system that would permit individual state health departments to upload information from their databases or enter data directly into the system; the CDC would transmit the data to state health departments nationally on a daily basis. The complete draft plan, which includes information on SARS surveillance, community containment measures, and managing international travel-related transmission risk, is available for downloading in PDF format. Relevant slide sets and updated SARS guidance for clinicians and laboratories are also available from this section of the CDC site.
For more information seehttp://www1.chinadaily.com.cn/en/doc/2003-11/06/content_278867.htm http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/sarsprepplan.htm http://www1.chinadaily.com.cn/en/doc/2003-11/06/content_278867.htm http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/sarsprepplan.htm