The U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) has established a database entry for Bacillus anthracis using the Sherlock® Microbial Identification System (MIS) from MIDI, Inc. The Sherlock MIS identifies over 1,500 species of bacteria, including six bacteria considered potential agents of biological terrorism, through gas chromatographic analysis of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs). The new B. anthracis data set entry in the Sherlock Bioterrorism Library allows for accurate identification of B. anthracis isolates, estimation of strain relatedness, and potential forensic analysis for attribution of biological threat agent use.
The U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases established a database entry for Bacillus anthracis using the Sherlock Microbial Identification System (MIS) from MIDI, Inc. This system utilizes gas chromatographic analysis of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) to identify bacterial species. The study aimed to create a robust library entry for B. anthracis to support forensic analyses and the identification of potential biological terrorism agents.
| GC run time | 22 min |
|---|---|
| Column dimensions | 25 m x 0.2 mm |
| Temperature range | 170 to 270 °C |
| Temperature ramp rate | 5 °C/min |
| Post-incubation time | 3 h |
The Sherlock Microbial Identification System (MIS) from MIDI, Inc.
An Agilent 6890 Series Gas Chromatograph was used.
A total of 73 isolates of Bacillus anthracis were selected.