Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) is being applied increasingly to Bacillus cereus group species; however, misinterpretation of WGS results may have severe consequences. We report 3 cases, 1 of which was an outbreak, in which misinterpretation of B. cereus group WGS results hindered communication within public health and industrial laboratories.
Keywords: Bacillus anthracis; Bacillus cereus; Bacillus paranthracis; Bacillus tropicus; anthrax; bacteria; bioterrorism and preparedness; food safety; foodborne diseases; taxonomy; whole-genome sequencing.