Just why the attacks failed is not known, but some experts suspect the cult did not sufficiently refine the particle size of its agents and that it was working with an avirulent strain of anthrax.

The innate immune response constitutes the first line of defence against pathogenic microorganisms. Phagocytes, such as macrophages and neutrophils, engulf microorganisms into a vacuole or ...

Just why the attacks failed is unclear, but some experts suspect the cult did not sufficiently refine the particle size of its agents and that it was working with an avirulent strain of anthrax.

Less virulent pathogens or avirulent (not harmful) ones may cause an initial infection that takes longer to cause symptoms. These types of pathogens will cause a mild disease or may be asymptomatic.