Showing papers on "Bacillus anthracis published in 1968"

Fatty Acids in the Genus Bacillus II. Similarity in the Fatty Acid Compositions of Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus anthracis, and Bacillus cereus

Abstract: The nature and relative abundance of fatty acids produced by two strains each of Bacillus thuringiensis and of B. anthracis were studied by gas-liquid chromatography on a 12,000 theoretical plate polyester column capable of partially resolving iso- and anteiso-fatty acids with the same number of carbon atoms. Unsaturated fatty acids as the bromo derivatives were separated from the saturated acids and resolved in a short SE-30 column by use of programmed-temperature gas chromatography. All four strains produced 16 major fatty acids: 9 branched (i-C12, i-C13, i-C14, i-C15, i-C16, i-C17, a-C13, a-C15, and a-C17), 3 normal (n-C14, n-C15, and n-C16), and 4 monounsaturated (i-C161=, i-C171=, a-C171=, and n-C161=), in addition to some minor fatty acids. In all cases, 12 branched acids, including saturated and monounsaturated, made up over 70% of the total fatty acids, and iso-C15 acid was most abundant. These fatty acid distribution patterns were very similar to those of B. cereus and B. cereus var. mycoides. There were, however, minor but clear differences between the fatty acid distribution patterns of B. thuringiensis and B. anthracis. B. thuringiensis, like B. cereus, produced higher proportions of i-C13, a-C13, and i-C14 fatty acids than did B. anthracis. This difference between these two species could be useful as a supplemental criterion in their differentiation. Indications are that the enzyme systems for monounsaturated fatty acid synthesis in B. thuringiensis and B. anthracis prefer normal fatty acids as substrates rather than branched-chain fatty acids.

Transduction in Bacillus cereus and Bacillus anthracis.

Abstract: A phage, designated CP-51, that carries out generalized transduction in Bacillus cereus and B. anthracis, has recently been isolated from soil. Transducing phages for members of the genus Bacillus have been described previously for B. subtilis and B. licheniformis (2-6). Those that have been best characterized are PBS-1 for B. subtilis (4) and SP-10 and SP-15 for both B. subtilis and B. licheniformis (5, 6). None of these transducing phages is active on B. cereus or B. anthracis. Thus, the availability of CP-51 broadens the range of organisms in which genetic exchange is now possible.

Ultrastructural differences in the exosporium of the Sterne and Vollum strains of Bacillus anthracis.

Abstract: Spores from three different strains of Bacillus anthracis were examined by electron microscopy for the presence of a hair-like nap previously reported to be present on the exosporium of spores of t...

On the nature of immunity in anthrax. the effect of trauma and the significance of nervous system in the immunity in anthrax - communication iii

Abstract: : The experiments point to the significance of the nervous system in immunity in anthrax. Previous experiments in vaccination with the formalinized culture of the agent of anthrax showed that one can effect the mechanism of development of immunity in anthrax through the controlled modification of the reactivity of the organism to the vaccinal preparations. The data cited in this report attest to the fact that in the appropriate action on the nervous system the reactivity of the organism as a whole is modified, in consequence of which the immune status of the rabbits, vaccinated against anthrax, is destroyed for a period of time.