Bacillus and Francisella bacterial research

Protein secretion by the type IV pilus machinery in Francisella tularensis

This study identifies proteins secreted by Francisella tularensis using BONCAT and proteomics, validating T4P-mediated secretion of ChiA, ChiD, and KatG.

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.

Efficacy of Doxycycline as monotherapy or in combination with Levofloxacin in treating late-stage systemic anthrax in NHP

This study confirms the efficacy of Doxycycline alone or with Levofloxacin in treating late-stage systemic anthrax in non-human primates, supporting CDC guidelines.

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.

Investigating Bacillus anthracis genomic diversity and trait-specific lineages in an endemic area in northern Tanzania through a combination of traditional and culture-free sequencing approaches

This study investigates genomic diversity of Bacillus anthracis in northern Tanzania using traditional and culture-free sequencing, finding high strain diversity and limited host-specific clustering.

Antimicrobial Resistance Profiling and Phenotypic Characterization of Archived Clinical Bacillus paranthracis Strains

This study characterizes 20 archived B. paranthracis clinical strains, highlighting phenotypic similarities and differences with B. anthracis and assessing MinION sequencing for antimicrobial resistance detection.

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.

Matrix Matters: Context-Driven Metabolic Shifts in Bacillus cereus and Bacillus subtilis

This study uses calorimetry and metabolomics to compare metabolic activity of Bacillus cereus and B. subtilis in different food matrices, revealing matrix-dependent metabolic strategies and cereulide production.

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.

A novel AAA+ ATPase required for sporulation and stress response in Bacillus anthracis

This study identifies BAS PrkA, a novel AAA+ ATPase in B. anthracis, which is essential for sporulation and osmotic stress response, despite lacking detectable enzymatic activity.

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.

A chemically defined medium to support the growth of food-relevant Bacillus species

This paper develops a chemically defined medium, Pafoba, that supports the growth of multiple food-relevant Bacillus species, improving reproducibility and enabling detailed metabolic studies.

Environmental Regulation of Toxin Production in Bacillus anthracis

This study identifies how glucose and CO2 synergistically regulate toxin production in Bacillus anthracis through the AtxA transcription factor and its interaction with the glucose-PTS system.

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.

Population structure of Bacillus cereus sensu lato associated with foodborne outbreaks in France between 2004 and 2023

The paper analyzes the population structure of Bacillus cereus sensu lato strains from French foodborne outbreaks, identifying key species and their associations with food types and antibiotic resistance.

Genomic reconstruction of Bacillus anthracis from complex environmental samples enables high throughput identification and lineage assignment in Pakistan

This study uses genomic analysis of environmental samples to identify and assign lineages of Bacillus anthracis in Pakistan, providing new reference genomes and identifying a minor sublineage.

Outer membrane tube formation by Francisella novicida involves extensive envelope modifications and is linked with type VI secretion and alterations to the host phagosomal membrane

This study investigates OMT formation in F. novicida using cryo-ET and microscopy, revealing envelope modifications and links to type VI secretion and phagosomal membrane changes.

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.

Closing the gaps: testing the efficacy of carbapenem and cephalosporins in treating late-stage anthrax

This study tests the efficacy of carbapenem and cephalosporins in treating late-stage anthrax in rabbits, finding that the combination of Doxycycline and Meropenem is effective, while cefazolin is only effective for early stages.

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.

Backtracking: Improved methods for identifying the source of a deliberate release of Bacillus anthracis from the temporal and spatial distribution of cases

This paper introduces two improved methods for identifying the source of a deliberate Bacillus anthracis release using reverse epidemiology, showing better accuracy and speed than traditional approaches.

The role of endospore appendages in spore-spore contacts in pathogenic bacilli

This study investigates the role of S-ENAs and L-ENAs in spore-spore contacts and their interaction with vegetative cells, revealing their importance in self-aggregation and environmental factors' impact.

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.