Background: There are hundreds of potential agents that could be used in biological warfare or bioterrorism: bacteria, viruses and toxins. There are no similarities between clinical presentations of organisms or toxins belonging to specific microbial families. Therefore, it is important for the physician, required to cope with an unusual disease or outbreak among his patients, to become familiar with the various symptoms that victims of biological warfare or bioterrorism may present.
Methods: To describe the six most common groups of symptoms expected in the above setting. The most common symptoms will be described as they appear in nature, because of a fortunate lack of experience with the majority of these agents in biological warfare. Hence, variations of these presentations may be possible.
Results: The six most common presentations reviewed are: 1) respiratory tract symptoms; 2) hemorrhagic fevers; 3) meningitis and encephalitis; 4) flaccid paralyses; 5) fever syndromes with rash; and 6) diarrheal syndromes. Additional presentations may be possible due to alterations made in these organisms or development of new agents and mixtures. A list is provided of features that may alert a physician of the possibility of biological warfare or bioterrorism.
Conclusion: Knowledge of the principal clinical presentations of victims of biological warfare or bioterrorism is essential to all physicians. This knowledge may contribute to the early recognition of a cluster of patients, an epidemic, an unusual disease, or biological warfare; quick referral to the emergency department, leading to early microbiological diagnosis; and rapid notification of the Ministry of Health. All these, and the institution of appropriate measures, will ultimately contribute to the survival of individual patients and at-risk populations.