Investigating Anthrax-Associated Virulence Genes among Archival and Contemporary <i>Bacillus cereus</i> Group Genomes.

ABSTRACT: Bacillus anthracis causes anthrax through virulence factors encoded on two plasmids. However, non-B. anthracis organisms within the closely related, environmentally ubiquitous Bacillus cereus group (BCG) may cause an anthrax-like disease in humans through the partial adoption of anthrax-associated virulence genes, challenging the definition of anthrax disease. To elucidate these phenomena and their evolutionary past, we performed whole-genome sequencing on non-anthracis BCG isolates, including 93 archival (1967-2003) and 5 contemporary isolates (2019-2023). We produced annotated genomic assemblies and performed a pan-genome analysis to identify evidence of virulence gene homology and virulence gene acquisition by linear inheritance or horizontal gene transfer. A

SUBMITTER: Sabin SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11510535 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature