| Popis: |
Three weeks after September 11, 2001’s attacks, the Laboratory Response Network reported a case of inhalational anthrax. Anthrax infected a total of 22 victims, killing five. Four letters were recovered containing dried Bacillus anthracis spores of the Ames strain. The cultured spores revealed colonies of variant morphologies. Whole genome sequencing identified mutations in the variant colonies’ DNA. Identical mutations were found in spores belonging to a military microbiologist in Frederick, MD. Carbon-14 dating of the spores indicated recent production. Analysis of printing defects on the mailed envelopes confirmed they had originated from a post office in Frederick, MD. |
