Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: Bacillus cereus biovar anthracis (Bcbva) strains, which cause fatal anthrax-like disease, have been isolated from animals in Central and West Africa. Like B. anthracis , Bcbva produces a poly-γ-D-glutamic acid (PDGA) capsule, as well as edema factor (EF), lethal factor (LF) and protective antigen (PA). Bcbva also possesses a hyaluronic acid capsule that is not expressed by B. anthracis . The pathogenesis of Bcbva has recently been characterized in inhalational infection models, in rabbits and guinea pigs. Here, we characterized the kinetics of Bcbva infection and toxin production in a murine model of cutaneous infection using the Bcbva CA strain isolated in Cameroon. We found that spore germination occurred rapidly at the inoculation site, followed by bacterial dissemination to the draining cervical lymph nodes. Germination was associated with rapid production and diffusion of LF and EF. Bacteria rapidly disseminated to lymphoid organs and other compartments, with distal germination observed 18 hours post-infection. Infected mice developed septicemia within 24 hours, accompanied by high circulating LF levels and signs of cardiac and renal injury. These findings may contribute to the fulminant course of Bcbva infection observed in animals and highlight its potential risk to humans.
Authors: Annabelle Garnier, Clémence Rougeaux
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7214642739