The Need for Continued Development of Ricin Countermeasures

الملخص EN

Ricin toxin, an extremely potent and heat-stable toxin produced from the bean of the ubiquitous Ricinus communis (castor bean plant), has been categorized by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a category B biothreat agent that is moderately easy to disseminate.

Ricin has the potential to be used as an agent of biological warfare and bioterrorism.

Therefore, there is a critical need for continued development of ricin countermeasures.

A safe and effective prophylactic vaccine against ricin that was FDA approved for “at risk” individuals would be an important first step in assuring the availability of medical countermeasures against ricin.