NC_014335:2718000 Bacillus cereus biovar anthracis str. CI chromosome, complete
Host Lineage: Bacillus cereus; Bacillus; Bacillaceae; Bacillales; Firmicutes; Bacteria
General Information: This strain probably caused lethal anthrax in chimpanzee Leo in the rainforest of the Tai National Park, Cote d'Ivoire. It belongs to a collection of genetically closely related bacteria, isolated in 2001 and 2002 from deceased wild chimpanzees living in this rain forest area. An autopsy showed symptoms typical of anthrax, but the bacterium isolated was motile, unlike B.anthracis. This organism is a soil-dwelling opportunistic pathogen that causes food poisoning in infected individuals. The rapid onset is characterized by nausea and vomiting while the late onset is characterized by diarrhea and abdominal pain. The emetic disease is caused by a small stable dodecadepsipeptide cerulide whereas the diarrheal disease is caused by a heat labile enterotoxin. Some strains produce a potent cytotoxin that forms a pore in the membrane of eukaryotic cells and causes necrotic enteritis (death of intestinal epithelial cells) while the unique tripartite membrane lytic toxin hemolysin BL contributes to the diarrheal disease and destructive infections of the eye.