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Hamouda et al., Sporicidal Activity of BCTP Nanoemulsion Page 2 of 12 Bacteria of the Bacillus genus form stable spores that are resistant to harsh conditions and extreme temperatures. Contamination of farmlands with Bacillus anthracis leads to a fatal disease in domestic, agricultural, and wild animals [1]. Human infection by B. anthracis usually results from contact with infected animals or infected animal products [2]. Human clinical symptoms include a pulmonary form that has a rapid onset and is frequently fatal. The gastrointestinal and cutaneous forms of anthrax, although less rapid, can also result in fatalities unless treated aggressively [3, 4]. B. anthracis infection in humans is no longer common, because of effective animal control that includes vaccines, antibiotics, and appropriate disposal of infected livestock. However, animal anthrax still represents a significant problem because of contamination of farmland. Although a vaccine is available [5] and can be used for the prevention of anthrax, genetic mixing of different strains can render it ineffective [6]. The potential consequences of the use of B. anthracis spores as a biologic weapon were demonstrated by the accidental release of B. anthracis from a military microbiology laboratory in the former Soviet Union. Seventy-seven cases of human anthrax, including 66 deaths, were attributed to the accident. Some infections occurred as far as 4 km from the laboratory [7]. Genetic analysis of infected persons revealed the presence of either multiple strains or genetically altered B. anthracis [8]. Other members of the Bacillus genus are also reported to be etiologic agents for many human diseases. B. cereus is a common pathogen. It is involved in foodbome diseases because its spores can survive cooking procedures. Local sepsis and wound and systemic infections have also been attributed to B. cereus [9]. Disinfectants and biocides (e.g., sodium hypochlorite, formaldehyde, and phenols) that are highly effective against Bacillus spores are not well suited for decontamination of the environment, equipment, or exposed persons because of toxicity that leads to tissue necrosis and severe pulmonary injury after inhalation of volatile fumes. The corrosive nature of these compounds also renders them unsuitable for decontamination of sensitive equipment [10-15]. Concems about these issues have stimulated interest in new types of biocidal agents that can safely decontaminate Bacillus spores. We have investigated the sporicidal properties of two antimicrobial lipid emulsions. Nanoemulsions are produced by mixing a lipid-oil "discontinuous" phase with an aqueous "continuous" phase under high shear forces. The result is an oil droplet of “400-800 Hm in diameter that is able to fuse with and subsequently disrupt the membrane of a variety of different pathogens [16]. BCTP is a nanoemulsion made of soybean oil, Triton X-100 detergent, and tri-n-butyl phosphate in 20% water. BCTP 401 is a mixture of this emulsion and a liposome, P10. P10 is made of water, Tween 60, soybean oil, glycerol monooleate, refined soya sterols, and the cationic compound cetylpyridinium " chloride. These two compounds have antimicrobial activity against enveloped viruses and bacteria through membrane disruption (unpublished data). In the current studies, we examined the ability of these ’ emulsions to inactivate different Bacillus spores. Materials and Methods http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/JID/jourmal/issues/v180n6/99028 1/990281 text. html 2/18/2005