The early recognition of potential bioterrorism agents has been of increasing concern
in recent years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, among other agencies,
has categorized and listed biological terrorism agents based, among other things,
on their ease of dissemination or transmission, high mortality, degree of social disruption
and need for special preparation [
1
,
2
]. Although any or all of the highest risk biological agents (including inhalation
anthrax, pneumonic plague, smallpox, tularemia, botulism, and viral hemorrhagic fevers)
can be seen in the pediatric patient, several agents might closely resemble—at least
in their initial stages—some of the more common childhood illnesses (Table 1). The awareness of these similarities and, more importantly, their differences, are
critical for all health care professionals, especially emergency room physicians,
pediatricians, pediatric nurse practitioners and day care health advisors [
[3]
].
Table 1Bioterrorism agents of particular interest to pediatric health care providers
| Agent | Differential diagnosis |
|---|---|
| Smallpox: variola major |
|
| Anthrax: Bacillus anthracis |
|
| Plague: Yersinia pestis |
|
| Tularemia: Francisella tularensis |
|
| Botulism: Clostridium botulinum |
|
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“The Opinions, interpretations, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Department of Defense (U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force), the Department of Homeland Security, or other Federal Agencies.”
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