Rapid detection of Bacillus anthracis spores directly from powders with an evanescent wave fiber-optic biosensor.

There currently are no rapid, sensitive tests to directly and reliably detect Bacillus anthracis spores in common powders. Traditional culture is time consuming and molecular techniques cannot directly process powders. This study describes a biosensor assay that detects B. anthracis at concentrations of 3.2 x 10(5) spores/mg or higher in spiked powders in less than 1 h with minimal sample preparation.