Bacillus cereus from the environment is genetically related to the highly pathogenic B. cereus in Zambia

J Vet Med Sci. 2015 Aug;77(8):993-5. doi: 10.1292/jvms.15-0059. Epub 2015 Mar 23.

Abstract

To follow-up anthrax in Zambia since the outbreak in 2011, we have collected samples from the environment and the carcasses of anthrax-suspected animals, and have tried to isolate Bacillus anthracis. In the process of identification of B. anthracis, we collected two isolates, of which colonies were similar to B. anthracis; however, from the results of identification using the molecular-based methods, two isolates were genetically related to the highly pathogenic B. cereus, of which clinical manifestation is severe and fatal (e.g., pneumonia). In this study, we showed the existence of bacteria suspected to be highly pathogenic B. cereus in Zambia, indicating the possibility of an outbreak caused by highly pathogenic B. cereus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anthrax / epidemiology
  • Anthrax / microbiology
  • Bacillus anthracis / genetics
  • Bacillus anthracis / isolation & purification
  • Bacillus anthracis / pathogenicity
  • Bacillus cereus / genetics*
  • Bacillus cereus / isolation & purification
  • Bacillus cereus / pathogenicity
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Environmental Microbiology
  • Humans
  • Phylogeny
  • Zambia / epidemiology