With experts saying that the threat of anthrax in the United States is waning, people are beginning to look for the next big threat. Many believe that the next step in biological terrorism will come in the form of smallpox.

Even though this disease was eradicated 20 years ago, U.S. officials are worried that the forms produced in the Soviet Union as biological weapons could fall into the hands of terrorists.

The vaccine used to eliminate the disease was Dryvax, but only 7 million doses currently exist in the United States at the Center For Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. These doses would not be enough to vaccinate the entire population, which exceeds 285 million, if a breakout were to occur. This situation may seem hopeless, but doctors at Saint Louis University have been placed on the “front line” in fighting the disease.

Researchers at the Center for Vaccine Development at the SLU School of Medicine have been chosen to study the effects of a diluted form of Dryvax. SLU is taking part in the study with Baylor University in Waco, Texas, University of Maryland and Rochester University in New York. Funding for the project is provided by the National Institutes of Health.

Leading the project is Dr. Sharon E. Frey, an associate professor of infectious diseases and immunology. “Because of the recent concerns of terrorism throughout the world, the U.S. government is making efforts to improve its ability to protect its citizens in the event of an attack,” Frey said.

This project was not a result of the Sept. 11 attacks though. Last year Frey and colleagues were working to effectively dilute the vaccine. In that study they divided 60 people into groups of 20. The first group was given undiluted Dryvax, the second, was diluted in 10 parts, and the third was given a dilution of 100 times. “The first group was very successful, and 95 percent developed the needed antibodies,” said Frey. “About 70 percent of the second group, and the third group was not very successful.”

With the current study, Frey will compare the past results with an undiluted form, one diluted five times, and another 10 times. Thus far, 26 people have been vaccinated with the new dilutions, and the study hopes to have inoculated 50 by the end of the week. However, 684 volunteers are needed nation-wide, 171 of these are coming from SLU. “Being able to dilute the vaccine would potentially increase the available stock by five-to-tenfold,” Frey said.

Diluting the vaccine is not the only solution to fighting the virus. “We are currently using this form of vaccination until a type that can be more easily extracted is developed,” said Frey. Twenty years ago Dryvax was made by inoculating the belly of a calf, and using the product from it. Today, researchers are looking to avoid the practice and find a better type of vaccine.

Volunteers are still needed and are encouraged to take part in the study. One person who is already participating in the study is Kati Tusinski, a graduate student in Communication, who found out about the study while working in the Department of Public Relations in DuBourg Hall. “I got involved because it’s a good opportunity to contribute to all that is happening. You can’t go to New York and as a student, it’s hard to donate money.”

She encourages anyone who would like to take part in the study to do so, and also included that she is being compensated for it. Those interested must be 18-32 years old, in good health, no history of serious allergic reactions, no history of smallpox vaccination or infection, no immune system problems, and “no contact with anyone that is pregnant, less than 12 months of age, has eczema or has problems with his/her immune system.”

Call the Center for Vaccine Development at SLU’s School of Medicine at 314-977-6333. A study of smallpox issued to the CDC in June said, “Symptoms of smallpox begin 12 to 14 days after exposure, starting with a two to three day symptom of high fever, malaise, and prostration with severe headache and backache. This pre-eruptive stage is followed by the appearance of a maculopapular rash (i.e., eruptive stage) that progresses to papules one to two days after the rash appears; vesicles appear on the fourth or fifth day; pustules appear by the seventh day; and scab lesions appear on the 14th day. The rash appears first on the oral mucosa, face, and forearms, then spreads to the trunk and legs.”

The study can be found at http://www.cdc.gov followed by a search for Dryvax.