Bacillus

Background

Microbiology

• Genus of non-branching, catalase positive Gram-positive bacilli
• Often over-decolorized

Identification

Organism	Width >1 μm	Wide Zone Lecithinase	Spores Swell Sporangium	VP Test	Ferments Mannitol	Ferments Xylose	Anaerobic Growth
Bacillus anthracis	+	+	–	+	–	–	+
Bacillus cereus	+	+	–	+	–	–	+
Bacillus subtilis	–	–	–	+	+	+	–
Paenibacillus	–	–	+	±	±	±	+

Clinical Presentation

Species	Disease
Bacillus anthracis	anthrax
Bacillus cereus	food poisoning, central line infections