Novel Sample Preparation Method for Safe and Rapid Detection of <i>Bacillus anthracis</i> Spores in Environmental Powders and Nasal Swabs

Abstract

Bacillus anthracis spores have been used as a biological weapon in the United States. We wanted to develop a safe, rapid method of sample preparation that provided safe DNA for the detection of spores in environmental and clinical specimens. Our method reproducibly detects B. anthracis in samples containing <10 spores.