BACILLUS

Bacillus General Characteristics of Bacillus  ~ 60 species; Gram-positive or Gram-variable bacilli • Large (0.5 x 1.2 to 2.5 x 10 um) • Most are saprophytic contaminants or normal flora • Bacillus anthracis is most important member  Produce endospores  Aerobic or facultatively anaerobic  Catalase positive (most) • Rapidly differentiates from Clostridium Bacillus spp. are ubiquitous • Soil, water, and airborne dust • Thermophilic (< 75°C) an...