Bacillus cereus Biovar Anthracis Causing Anthrax in Sub-Saharan Africa-Chromosomal Monophyly and Broad Geographic Distribution.
Through full genome analyses of four atypical Bacillus cereus isolates, designated B. cereus biovar anthracis, we describe a distinct clade within the B. cereus group that presents with anthrax-like disease, carrying virulence plasmids similar to those of classic Bacillus anthracis. We have isolated members of this clade from different mammals (wild chimpanzees, gorillas, an elephant and goats) in West and Central Africa (Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon, Central African Republic and Democratic Republic of Congo). The isolates shared several phenotypic features of both B. anthracis and B. cereus, but differed amongst each other in motility and their resistance or sensitivity to penicillin. They all possessed the same mutation in the regulator gene plcR, different from the one found in B. anthracis, and in addition, carry genes which enable them to produce a second capsule composed of hyaluronic acid. Our findings show the existence of a discrete clade of the B. cereus group capable of causing anthrax-like disease, found in areas of high biodiversity, which are possibly also the origin of the worldwide distributed B. anthracis. Establishing the impact of these pathogenic bacteria on threatened wildlife species will require systematic investigation. Furthermore, the consumption of wildlife found dead by the local population and presence in a domestic animal reveal potential sources of exposure to humans.
National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Kym S
KS
Antonation
Project group Epidemiology of Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms, Robert Koch-Institute, Berlin, Germany.|World Wide Fund for Nature - Germany, Berlin, Germany.
Kim
K
Grützmacher
Center for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch-Institute, Berlin, Germany.
Susann
S
Dupke
National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Philip
P
Mabon
Project group Epidemiology of Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms, Robert Koch-Institute, Berlin, Germany.|Center for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch-Institute, Berlin, Germany.
Fee
F
Zimmermann
Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America.
Felix
F
Lankester
World Wide Fund for Nature - CAR, Bangui, Central African Republic.
Tianna
T
Peller
World Wide Fund for Nature - CAR, Bangui, Central African Republic.
Anna
A
Feistner
World Wide Fund for Nature - CAR, Bangui, Central African Republic.
Angelique
A
Todd
World Wide Fund for Nature - Germany, Berlin, Germany.
Ilka
I
Herbinger
Project group Epidemiology of Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms, Robert Koch-Institute, Berlin, Germany.
Hélène M
HM
de Nys
Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale, Kinshasa, Congo (DRC).
Jean-Jacques
JJ
Muyembe-Tamfun
Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale, Kinshasa, Congo (DRC).
Stomy
S
Karhemere
Max-Planck-Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Primatology, Leipzig, Germany.|Taï Chimpanzee Project, Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
Roman M
RM
Wittig
Laboratoire National d'Appui au Développement Agricole, Laboratoire Central Vétérinaire de Bingerville, Côte d'Ivoire.
Emmanuel
E
Couacy-Hymann
Center for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch-Institute, Berlin, Germany.
Roland
R
Grunow
Project group Epidemiology of Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms, Robert Koch-Institute, Berlin, Germany.
Sébastien
S
Calvignac-Spencer
National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.|Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Manitoba, Canada.
Cindi R
CR
Corbett
Center for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch-Institute, Berlin, Germany.
Silke R
SR
Klee
Project group Epidemiology of Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms, Robert Koch-Institute, Berlin, Germany.
Fabian H
FH
Leendertz
D000349:Africa; D000818:Animals; D000881:Anthrax / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D001408:Bacillus anthracis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D001409:Bacillus cereus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008322:Mammals / Q000382:microbiology*; D009154:Mutation; D010802:Phylogeny; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics*; D014774:Virulence / Q000235:genetics
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; C099480:PlcR protein, Bacillus; D015534:Trans-Activators