Bacillus anthracis

About: Bacillus anthracis is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 3994 publications have been published within this topic receiving 128122 citations.

Virulent spores of Bacillus anthracis and other Bacillus species deposited on solid surfaces have similar sensitivity to chemical decontaminants.

Abstract: Aims: To compare the relative sensitivity of Bacillus anthracis and spores of other Bacillus spp. deposited on different solid surfaces to inactivation by liquid chemical disinfecting agents. Methods and Results: We prepared under similar conditions spores from five different virulent and three attenuated strains of B. anthracis, as well as spores of Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus atrophaeus (previously known as Bacillus globigii), Bacillus cereus, Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus megaterium. As spore-surface interactions may bias inactivation experiments, we evaluated the relative binding of different spores to carrier materials. The survival of spores deposited on glass, metallic or polymeric surfaces were quantitatively measured by ASTM standard method E-2414-05 which recovers spores from surfaces by increasing stringency. The number of spores inactivated by each decontaminant was similar and generally within 1 log among the 12 different Bacillus strains tested. This similarity among Bacillus strains and species was observed through a range of sporicidal efficacy on spores deposited on painted metal, polymeric rubber or glass. Conclusions: The data obtained indicate that the sensitivity of common simulants (B. atrophaeus and B. subtilis), as well as spores of B. cereus, B. thuringiensis, and B. megaterium, to inactivation by products that contain either: peroxide, chlorine or oxidants is similar to that shown by spores from all eight B. anthracis strains studied. Significance and Impact of the Study: The comparative results of the present study suggest that decontamination and sterilization data obtained with simulants can be safely extrapolated to virulent spores of B. anthracis. Thus, valid conclusions on sporicidal efficacy could be drawn from safer and less costly experiments employing non-pathogenic spore simulants.

Protection against Anthrax Toxemia by Hexa-d-Arginine In Vitro and In Vivo

Abstract: The anthrax toxin protective antigen precursor is activated by proteolytic cleavage by furin or a furin-like protease. We present here data demonstrating that the small stable furin inhibitor hexa-D-arginine amide delays anthrax toxin-induced toxemia both in cells and in live animals, suggesting that furin inhibition may represent a reasonable avenue for therapeutic intervention in anthrax.

The complete genome sequence of Bacillus anthracis Ames "Ancestor"

Abstract: The pathogenic bacterium Bacillus anthracis has become the subject of intense study as a result of its use in a bioterrorism attack in the United States in September and October 2001. Previous studies suggested that B. anthracis Ames Ancestor, the original Ames fully virulent plasmid-containing isolate, was the ideal reference. This study describes the complete genome sequence of that original isolate, derived from a sample kept in cold storage since 1981.