Biological Agents: Overview, Topics, Services, Examples

Bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms, along with the toxins they produce, are examples of biological agents. They are capable of harming human health in several different ways, from very modest allergic reactions to major medical conditions—even death. Some organisms, such as different types of mold and Legionella bacteria, are easily found in both the constructed environment and the natural environment. Many can pass from person to person, either directly or indirectly (such as bloodborne pathogens and influenza viruses), and some, like the Zika virus, are conveyed by insect vectors. Biological agents can sometimes be turned into weapons and used in bioterrorism and other crimes. The Safety and Health Topics sites that OSHA maintains for numerous biological agents and toxins are included on this page. Each of these pages has comprehensive information about the particular biological agent or class of agents that it is focused on, as well as sections on recognizing potential workplace health risks and mitigating exposures.

How Do Biological Agents Affect Us

The health of humans could be harmed by biological agents. From minor allergic reactions to death, debilitation, and disability, effects can range widely. Additionally, the effects of the majority of biological agents take a long time to manifest and are generally unnoticeable. Because most plants and animals are susceptible to the effects of biological agents, they can also harm them. In the past, biowarfare techniques have included the use of fungi, plants, animal and human corpses, feces, and even disease-infected clothing.

What Are Biological Agents

Microorganisms and poisons originating from biological sources that can be intentionally deployed as weapons in biological warfare or bioterrorism are referred to as biological agents. While some of these agents are specifically developed in labs, the majority of these agents are prevalent in the natural environment.

List Of Biological Agents

The following categories can be used to group biological agents:

• Biochemical Agents of Bacteria

• Biological Chlamydial Agents

• Biological Rickettsial Agents

• VIRUS AGENTS

• Biological Mycotic Agents

• Medical Toxins

• biological carriers

Bacterial Biological Agents

These "bio-agents" are, as their name implies, bacteria. The following are a handful of the most popular bacterial bioagents:

• Anthrax bacteria (Anthrax)

• Virus of cholera (Cholera)

• Diphtheria-causing Corynebacterium (Diphtheria)

Biological Chlamydial Agents

Chlamydophila psittaci is one of the most powerful chlamydial biological agents. A zoonotic infectious illness called Psittacosis is brought on by this bacteria. As it is spread by diseased parrots like macaws and cockatiels, it is also known as parrot fever or ornithosis.

Rickettsial Biological Agents

Biological agents caused by Rickettsia include:

• Cronobacter burnetii (Q Fever)

• Prowazekii Rickettsii (Typhus)

Viral Agents

Several well-known viral agents are:

• viral encephalitis in Japan (Japanese B encephalitis)

• The virus causing Rift Valley fever (Rift Valley fever)

• Virus Variola (Smallpox)

Mycotic Biological Agents

A mycotic biological agent is coccidioides immitis. It results in the illness of Coccidiomycosis (also known as desert rheumatism and Valley fever).

Different Biological Control Agents

Here are some biocontrol agents that control pests and weeds

• Fungi

• Predators

• Bacteria

• Virus

• Parasitoids

We shall go into further detail about the various biological control agents.

FUNGI

• One element of quick biocontrol techniques that does not harm the environment is fungi.

• More so than chemical fertilisers and pesticides, it has demonstrated efficacy in managing pesticides.

• One method of preventing pest infestations of green peach aphids is entomophagy (fungi).

Predators

• They eat a lot of other organisms and continue to exist as free-living creatures.

• The biocontrol agents include predators including spiders, dragonflies, lacewings, lady beetles, etc.

BACTERIA

• Coccobacillus bacteria are thought to be the best bacteria for weed and pest management.

• Another kind of bacterium is soil-dwelling Bacillus Thuringiensis.

VIRUS

• A virus may be a powerful biocontrol tool and can help bugs choose their precise targets. Researchers are continuing working on developing a virus that would selectively target pests and perform biological control. Baculovirus and nucleopolyhedrovirus are two examples.

PARASITOIDS

• By laying eggs, it may kill the host since the larvae need the host for feeding.

• Examples of parasitoids are wasps and beetles.

• One type of wasp that lays an egg within an aphid species is the Aphidius colemani. The aphid dies as a result of the larvae obtaining energy from it.

Biological Toxins

As the name implies, biological poisons come from living things. The following are some of the most potent:

• Ricin (from castor bean - Ricinus communis) (from castor bean – Ricinus communis)

• Tetrodotoxin (from several marine microorganisms) (from various marine bacteria)

• Botulinum poisoning (from bacteria – Clostridium botulinum)

Biological Vectors

Biological vectors transport the pathogens that cause illness. The most popular include:

• Mosquitos (Yellow fever, Malaria, Dengue) (Yellow fever, Malaria, Dengue)

• Flea Rat (Plague)

Features Of Biological Control Agents

• Biological agents are living organisms or their byproducts that can be used to cause disease, death, or other harm to a population or environment. They include bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and toxins, and can be released deliberately as weapons of mass destruction or accidentally as a result of a natural disaster.

• Biological agents can be highly contagious and may cause severe morbidity and mortality if left untreated. In some cases, biological agents can be used to create bioweapons, which are weapons that use infectious agents to cause harm or death.

• Biological agents can also be used to create bioterrorism, which is the intentional use of infectious agents to cause harm or death.

• Biological agents can be used to create biocontrols, which are organisms used to control the population of other organisms.

• Additionally, biological agents can be used in bioremediation, which is the use of microorganisms to clean up environmental contamination.