Bacillus and Francisella bacterial research

Hiding in plain sight: rare Bacillus cereus group species are present among unassembled metagenomic samples in public databases

The paper identifies rare Bacillus cereus group species in unassembled metagenomic samples, revealing their potential geographic distribution and genomic diversity.

Dynamics of cutaneous infection of a Bacillus cereus biovar anthracis strain

This study characterizes the kinetics of Bcbva infection and toxin production in a murine cutaneous model, revealing rapid spore germination, toxin diffusion, and systemic dissemination leading to septicemia.

Combined production of Non-Hemolytic Enterotoxin and Sphingomyelinase as a marker of diarrheal food poisoning strains in the Bacillus cereus group

The paper develops a sandwich ELISA to quantify NheA and SMase proteins in B. cereus group isolates, showing they distinguish diarrheal food poisoning strains from non-pathogenic ones.

Genome sequence of Bacillus paranthracis strain SCM10-01, isolated from the intestinal mucosa of a wild Synallaxis cabanisi collected in Peru.

The paper reports the genome sequence of Bacillus paranthracis SCM10-01 isolated from a wild bird, identifying specific toxin genes but not anthrax-associated genes.

Control of Oxidative Stress and Intracellular Survival in Francisella tularensis Live Vaccine Strain (LVS) via Acyl-CoA Synthetase

This study identifies FTL_0690 as an acyl-CoA synthetase critical for lipid homeostasis, membrane integrity, and oxidative stress resistance in F. tularensis LVS.

Validation of TRIzol-Based Inactivation Protocol with Failure Scenario Testing for Bacterial Select Agent Surrogates

The paper validates TRIzol-based inactivation protocols for bacterial surrogates by testing failure scenarios and shows that complete protocol adherence is necessary for reliable inactivation, especially for spore-forming bacteria.

NheABC is a pH-dependent cytotoxin that contributes to the virulence of Bacillus cereus

This study identifies NheABC as a pH-dependent cytotoxin in B. cereus that enhances colonization and causes cell death in mammalian cells.

Effects of dipicolinic acid on Bacillus anthracis spore biology and cytotoxicity

This study examines the role of dipicolinic acid (DPA) in Bacillus anthracis spore biology and cytotoxicity, finding that DPA is essential for spore viability and dormancy but not required for macrophage virulence.

Atomic Structure and Phospholipid Binding Properties of the Francisella Type VI Secretion System Effector Protein PdpC

The paper determines the cryoEM structure of PdpC, an effector protein from Francisella tularensis, and shows its binding to host phospholipids, revealing insights into its role in virulence.

Endospore Appendages Enhance Bacillus cereus Spore Adhesion to Industrial Surfaces, Modulated by Physicochemical Factors

This study investigates how endospore appendages (ENAs) in Bacillus cereus spores enhance adhesion to industrial surfaces, showing that ENAs significantly improve adhesion to stainless steel and polypropylene, with effects modulated by physicochemical factors.

Global Phylogenomic Analysis and Genome Homology Reveals New rare Phylogenetic groups, "Synonymous" Species, and the Need to Simplify Nomenclature and Pathogens Identification in the Bacillus cereus Group

This study presents a global phylogenomic analysis of the Bacillus cereus Group, identifying new phylogenetic groups, synonymous species, and proposing a simplified nomenclature and a database for pathogen identification.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with cytotoxicity of Bacillus cereus group strains in Caco-2 cells

This study identifies SNPs in enterotoxin genes that better predict cytotoxicity of B. cereus group strains in Caco-2 cells than enterotoxin gene presence alone.

Pathogenicity determinant protein E is a Francisella type VI secretion system effector protein that modulates host death

This study identifies PdpE as a Francisella T6SS effector that modulates host cell death by suppressing the macrophage type I interferon response.

Genetic screen identifies cell wall enzyme is key for freshwater survival of Francisella tularensis

The paper identifies the mpl gene, encoding murein peptide ligase, as critical for Francisella tularensis survival in freshwater, highlighting its role in maintaining cell wall integrity under stress.

Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels has Thermostable and Selective Anti-Bacillus anthracis Activity

This study evaluates the anti-Bacillus anthracis activity of Syzygium cumini extract, finding it potent, selective, and thermostable with synergistic effects with antibiotics.

Isolation, characterization and antibiogram of Bacillus cereus from milk products

This study isolates and characterizes Bacillus cereus from milk products in Haryana, India, revealing high prevalence and widespread antibiotic resistance.

Comparison of the performance of multiple whole-genome sequence-based tools for the identification of Bacillus cereus sensu stricto biovar Thuringiensis

This study evaluates four bioinformatics tools for detecting crystal protein-encoding genes in Bacillus cereus s.s. biovar Thuringiensis using whole-genome sequencing data, finding IDOPS performs best overall.

Neuroinfectiology of an atypical anthrax-causing pathogen in wild chimpanzees

This study investigates the neuroinfectiology of Bcbva in wild chimpanzees, finding it causes meningitis and breaches the blood-brain barrier more effectively than B. anthracis.

Using mixture density networks to emulate a stochastic within-host model of Francisella tularensis infection

The paper uses mixture density networks to emulate a stochastic within-host model of Francisella tularensis infection, improving parameter estimation and providing estimates of infectious dose and incubation period.

Identification of genetic markers for the discrimination of Bacillus thuringiensis within the Bacillus cereus group, in the context of foodborne outbreaks

The paper identifies genetic markers to distinguish Bacillus thuringiensis from other Bacillus cereus group strains using GWAS and develops a tool for in silico discrimination.