Anthrax is a fatal bacterial disease caused by infecting Bacillus anthracis in animals and humans And a total 40 species in genus Bacillus have been known at present. To clarify the strong pathogenicity and virulence of Bacillus spp. in the host,
feasible mechanisms have been explained which might possible it to infect fatal phenomenon in the host. Genetic adaptation and phenotype expression of the host for pathogenicity by Bacillus spp., immune effector molecules by the bacteria are
considered.
No clear-cut test is available for differentiation of B. anthracis from closely related Bacillus spp. Because many species of the genus Bacillus are serologically cross-reactive and have similar culture and biochemical properties. However, B.
anthracis
has 5 cardinal characteristics, which are encapsulated, nonhemolytic, nonmotile, penicillin-susceptible and gammaphage susceptible.
Simple cultural and biochemical tests and serology were carried out to identify two strains of Bacillus app. isolated from two patients, with acute septicemia and died after consumption of carcass died of unknown acute disease. Isolated strains
were
spore-forming, gram positive rod. After 48 hours of cultivation in 5% CO2, the colonies of two strains were smooth mucoid and their smear preparations showed thick capsules. Non-hemolysis were observed in blood agar and non-motility were observed
in
gelatin-BHI(brain heart infusion) medium. Two strains were susceptible to penicillin G. Various biochemical tests were the same as those of B. anthracis ATCC strains. All mice inoculated with two strains were succumbed within 24 hours.
In the immunofluorescence test using monoclonal antibody against B. anthracis Sterne 34-F2, two strains showed positive reactions. In Ouchterlony test, the thermoprecipitinogens of two strains developed a single precipitation line identical with
antigens of reference strains of B. anthracis.
And in the plasmid analysis, two strains possessed pXO2 which encoded information for exotoxin and envelope.
In conclusion, two strains of closely-related Bacillus spp. Isolated from two patients with acute septicemia in Kyungjoo city were identified as B. anthracis.
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