| Bacillus thuringiensis pyramidal crystal proteins. |
Biochemical characters cannot be used to differentiate between serovars, however, some of them may exhibit minor differences:
|
| Images |
| B.t. cells by Gram staining (left) and spores outside vegetative cells by Malachite green staining (right) |
Insect larvae pathogen (mosquito, Lepidoptera etc.) by toxins synthesis. Used as bio-
pesticide. Delta-endotoxins or insecticidal crystal proteins (cry) and cytolitic toxins (cyt)
are protoxins which may be toxic for certain insects and other invertebrates including
flatworms, mites, nematodes and protozoa. The ability to synthesize parasporal
bodies is plasmid borne. There is little correlation between serotype and insecticidal
toxicity. Other toxins may be produced during vegetative growth: β-exotoxin - a
thermostable nucleotide analogue, formerly known as thuringiensin and vegetative
insecticidal protein (Vip). Some strains of B. thuringiensis may produce the B. cereus
diarrheal toxin. Although numerous strains are toxic to invertebrates, this property has
not been demonstrated in many other strains. Natural epizootics do not seem to
occur, and it has been suggested that the natural habitat of this organism is soil.
B. thuringiensis has been implicated in cases of gastroenteritis and wound, burn and
ocular infections.
pesticide. Delta-endotoxins or insecticidal crystal proteins (cry) and cytolitic toxins (cyt)
are protoxins which may be toxic for certain insects and other invertebrates including
flatworms, mites, nematodes and protozoa. The ability to synthesize parasporal
bodies is plasmid borne. There is little correlation between serotype and insecticidal
toxicity. Other toxins may be produced during vegetative growth: β-exotoxin - a
thermostable nucleotide analogue, formerly known as thuringiensin and vegetative
insecticidal protein (Vip). Some strains of B. thuringiensis may produce the B. cereus
diarrheal toxin. Although numerous strains are toxic to invertebrates, this property has
not been demonstrated in many other strains. Natural epizootics do not seem to
occur, and it has been suggested that the natural habitat of this organism is soil.
B. thuringiensis has been implicated in cases of gastroenteritis and wound, burn and
ocular infections.
Bacillus thuringiensis serovars by H antigens:
| Bacillus thuringiensis |
Biochemical characters
| Bacillus thuringiensis colonies on Sheep Blood Agar; beta-haemolysis |
Taxonomy
Morphology
Cultural characteristics
Ecology
Pathogenicity
References
Phylum Bacillota (Firmicutes), Class Bacilli, Order Caryophanales, Family Bacillaceae, Genus Bacillus, Bacillus thuringiensis
Berliner (1915)
Synonym: Bacillus cereus var. thuringiensis Smith, Gordon and Clarck (1952).
Hystorical synonyms: B. cereus var. alesti Toumanoff and Vago (1951), B. dendrolimus Talalaev (1956), B. entomocidus var.
entomocidus Heimpel and Angus (1958), B. entomocidus var. subtoxicus Heimpel and Angus (1958), B. ephestiae ( Metalnikov and
Chorine ,1929) Steinhaus (1949), B. finitimus Heimpel and Angus (1958), B. soto Metalnikov and Chorine (1927), B. bombycis
Macchiati (1891), B. anagastae Heimpel (1967), B. tolworthi de Barjac and Bonnefoi (1968), B. darmstadiensis Krieg, de Barjac and
Bonnefoi (1968), B. toumanoffii Krieg (1969), B. morrisoni de Barjac and Bonnefoi (1968), B. aizawai Hempel (1967), B. pacificus
Hempel (1967), B. galleriae Hempel (1967), B. kenyae de Barjac and Bonnefoi (1967), B. amuscatoxicus Hempel (1967).
Phenotypically very close to other members of the Bacillus cereus group: Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus mycoides, Bacillus
pseudomycoides, Bacillus cereus and Bacillus weihenstephanensis. Genetic evidence supports the recognition of members of the
Bacillus cereus group as one species, but practical considerations (virulence characters) argue against such a move. Bacillus
thuringiensis is distinguished by its characteristic parasporal crystals. Smith et al. (1952) and Gordon et al. (1973) considered
Bacillus thuringiensis to be a variety of Bacillus cereus.
Bacillus thuringiensis has been divided on the basis of flagellar (H) antigens into 69 serotypes with 13 subantigenic groups, giving a
total of 82 serovars (Lecadet et al., 1999).
Berliner (1915)
Synonym: Bacillus cereus var. thuringiensis Smith, Gordon and Clarck (1952).
Hystorical synonyms: B. cereus var. alesti Toumanoff and Vago (1951), B. dendrolimus Talalaev (1956), B. entomocidus var.
entomocidus Heimpel and Angus (1958), B. entomocidus var. subtoxicus Heimpel and Angus (1958), B. ephestiae ( Metalnikov and
Chorine ,1929) Steinhaus (1949), B. finitimus Heimpel and Angus (1958), B. soto Metalnikov and Chorine (1927), B. bombycis
Macchiati (1891), B. anagastae Heimpel (1967), B. tolworthi de Barjac and Bonnefoi (1968), B. darmstadiensis Krieg, de Barjac and
Bonnefoi (1968), B. toumanoffii Krieg (1969), B. morrisoni de Barjac and Bonnefoi (1968), B. aizawai Hempel (1967), B. pacificus
Hempel (1967), B. galleriae Hempel (1967), B. kenyae de Barjac and Bonnefoi (1967), B. amuscatoxicus Hempel (1967).
Phenotypically very close to other members of the Bacillus cereus group: Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus mycoides, Bacillus
pseudomycoides, Bacillus cereus and Bacillus weihenstephanensis. Genetic evidence supports the recognition of members of the
Bacillus cereus group as one species, but practical considerations (virulence characters) argue against such a move. Bacillus
thuringiensis is distinguished by its characteristic parasporal crystals. Smith et al. (1952) and Gordon et al. (1973) considered
Bacillus thuringiensis to be a variety of Bacillus cereus.
Bacillus thuringiensis has been divided on the basis of flagellar (H) antigens into 69 serotypes with 13 subantigenic groups, giving a
total of 82 serovars (Lecadet et al., 1999).
Gram positive, 1.1 -1.2 x 3.0-5.0 μm, motile rods. Ellipsoidal, central or paracentral
spore, not deforming the sporangia appreciably. Spores may be cylindrical and may
be positioned subterminally. Spores may lie obliquely in the sporangia. No capsule
present.
Parasporal bodies within the sporangia. These crystalline protein inclusions may be
bipyramidal, cuboid, spherical to ovoid, flat-rectangular, or heteromorphic in shape.
They are formed outside the exosporium and readily separate from the liberated
spore. They are known as delta-endotoxins or insecticidal crystal proteins.
The bacilli tend to occur in chains. Cells grown on glucose agar produce large
amounts of storage material, giving a vacuolate or foamy appearance.
The presence of crystals is the major criterion for distinguishing between B. cereus
and B. thuringiensis.
spore, not deforming the sporangia appreciably. Spores may be cylindrical and may
be positioned subterminally. Spores may lie obliquely in the sporangia. No capsule
present.
Parasporal bodies within the sporangia. These crystalline protein inclusions may be
bipyramidal, cuboid, spherical to ovoid, flat-rectangular, or heteromorphic in shape.
They are formed outside the exosporium and readily separate from the liberated
spore. They are known as delta-endotoxins or insecticidal crystal proteins.
The bacilli tend to occur in chains. Cells grown on glucose agar produce large
amounts of storage material, giving a vacuolate or foamy appearance.
The presence of crystals is the major criterion for distinguishing between B. cereus
and B. thuringiensis.
On agar, colonies are very variable in appearance. They are usually whitish to cream
in color, large (2-7 mm in diameter), and vary in shape from circular to irregular, with
entire to undulate, crenate or fimbriate edges; they usually have matt or granular
textures. Sometimes smooth and moist colonies may appear.
Growth temperature from 10-15 ºC to 40-45 ºC. Grows in 0-7% NaCl and at pH 5,7
and 7. Allantoin or urate are not required. Grows on nutrient agar or nutrient broth.
in color, large (2-7 mm in diameter), and vary in shape from circular to irregular, with
entire to undulate, crenate or fimbriate edges; they usually have matt or granular
textures. Sometimes smooth and moist colonies may appear.
Growth temperature from 10-15 ºC to 40-45 ºC. Grows in 0-7% NaCl and at pH 5,7
and 7. Allantoin or urate are not required. Grows on nutrient agar or nutrient broth.
The organism has been isolated from all continents, including Antarctica.
B. thuringiensis replicates within the host or target insect but is not known to
proliferate in a vegetative state in aquatic environments.
Endospores are widespread in soil and many other environments. Spores are highly
resistant to heat (to 80°C), desiccation and drought, enabling the bacterium to survive
periods of stress under adverse environmental conditions. Spores can be rapidly
inactivated by UV radiation and sunlight. Survival can drop more than 90% within 20
minutes of exposure to sunlight.
Many toxin-encoding genes in B. thuringiensis are carried on plasmids, which can be
transferred from cell to cell by conjugation, transformation and transduction. The
ability to produce parasporal bodies has been transferred to strains of B. cereus and
B. pumilus and may be lost on subculture.
B. thuringienis has shown resistance to heavy metals. It can assimilate the heavy
metals most frequently present in polluted aquatic and soil environments such as
cadmium, copper, chromium, nickel, zinc, cobalt and mercury.
Resistant to to penicillin, oracillin, ampicillin, cephalosporins, trimethoprim, and
sensitive to gentamicin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, rifampicin, amikacin, ciprofloxacin,
vancomycin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, tetracycline, clindamycin, gatifloxacin,
and quinupristin/dalfopristin. Grows in the presence of lysozyme 0.001%.
B. thuringiensis replicates within the host or target insect but is not known to
proliferate in a vegetative state in aquatic environments.
Endospores are widespread in soil and many other environments. Spores are highly
resistant to heat (to 80°C), desiccation and drought, enabling the bacterium to survive
periods of stress under adverse environmental conditions. Spores can be rapidly
inactivated by UV radiation and sunlight. Survival can drop more than 90% within 20
minutes of exposure to sunlight.
Many toxin-encoding genes in B. thuringiensis are carried on plasmids, which can be
transferred from cell to cell by conjugation, transformation and transduction. The
ability to produce parasporal bodies has been transferred to strains of B. cereus and
B. pumilus and may be lost on subculture.
B. thuringienis has shown resistance to heavy metals. It can assimilate the heavy
metals most frequently present in polluted aquatic and soil environments such as
cadmium, copper, chromium, nickel, zinc, cobalt and mercury.
Resistant to to penicillin, oracillin, ampicillin, cephalosporins, trimethoprim, and
sensitive to gentamicin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, rifampicin, amikacin, ciprofloxacin,
vancomycin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, tetracycline, clindamycin, gatifloxacin,
and quinupristin/dalfopristin. Grows in the presence of lysozyme 0.001%.
- Gordon R.E., Haynes W.C., Pang C.H. (1973) – The genus Bacillus . Agriculture Handbook No. 427, U.S.D.A., Washington D.C.
- Buchanan R.E., Gibbons N.E., Cowan S.T., Holt J.G., Liston J., Murray R.G.E., Niven C.F., Ravin A.W., Stanier R.W. ( 1974) –
Bergey’s Manual of Determinative Bacteriology, Eight Edition, The Williams & Wilkins Company, Baltimore. - Logan N. A., 2005. Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus cereus, and other aerobic endospore-forming bacteria. In: Topley & Wilson’s
Microbiology & Microbial Infections, 10th Edition, Edited by Boriello S.P., Murray P.R., Funke G, Bacteriology, vol. 2, 922-952. - N.A. Logan and P. De Vos, 2009. Genus I. Bacillus Cohn 1872. In: (Eds.) P.D. Vos, G. Garrity, D. Jones, N.R. Krieg, W. Ludwig, F.A.
Rainey, K.-H. Schleifer, W.B. Whitman. Bergey’s Manual of Systematic Bacteriology, Volume 3: The Firmicutes, Springer, 21-127. - Lecadet, M.M., E. Frachon, V. Cosmao, H. Ripouteau, S. Hamon, P. Laurent & I. Thiéry. 1999. Updating the H-antigen classification
of Bacillus thuringiensis. J. Appl. Microbiol. 86: 660-672. - Government of Canada. Final screening assessment of Bacillus thuringiensis strain ATCC 13367. Environment and Climate
Change Canada. Health Canada. March 2018. - DeLucca AJ, Palmgreen MS, de Barjac H. A new serovar of Bacillus thuringiensis from grain dust: Bacillus thuringiensis serovar
colmeri (Serovar 21). Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 1984; 43:437-438. - Rabinovitch L, de Jesus FF, Cavados CF, Zahner V, Momen H, da Silva MH, Dumanoir VC, Frachon E, Lecadet MM. Bacillus
thuringiensis subsp. oswaldocruzi and Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. brasiliensis, two novel Brazilian strains which determine new
serotype H38 and H39, respectively. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 1995; 90:41-42. - Lee, Kwang Yong, Hyuk Han Kwon, Eun Young Kang, Min Jung Lee, Eui Na Kim, Dong Wan Chu, Soo Il Park, Din Binh Ngo and
Hyung Hoan Lee. Characteristics of Six New Bacillus thuringiensis Serovarieties: B. thuringiensis serovar. coreanensis, leesis,
konkukian, seoulensis, sooncheon, and yosoo. J. Microbiol. Biotechnol. (2004), 14(3), 509–514. - Krieg A. Transformations in the Bacillus cereus—Bacillus thuringiensis group. Description of a new subspecies: Bacillus
thuringiensis var. toumanoffii. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 1969; 14:279-281. - Porcar, M., Iriarte, J., Cosmao Dumanoir, V., Ferrandis, M. D., Lecadet, M. M., Ferre, J., & Caballero, P. (1999). Identification and
characterization of the new Bacillus thuringiensis serovars pirenaica (serotype H57) and iberica (serotype H59). Journal of Applied
Microbiology, 87(5), 640–648. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2672.1999.00863.x - Al-Saeedi H.M. and R.F. Al-Jassany. Isolation And Diagnostic Bacillus Thuringiensis tenebrionis Pathogenesis For Insects From
Date Palm Stem Borer Larva (Jebusaea hammerschmidt :Coleoptera :Cearmbyicidae). Plant Archives Vol. 19 No. 2, 2019 pp.
3331-3337.
Positive results for lysine decarboxylase, arginine dihydrolase, hydrolysis of esculin,
hydrolysis of casein, hydrolysis of gelatin, tyrosine decomposition, acid production
from: glycerol, starch, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, arbutin, fructose, maltose, ribose and
trehalose.
Negative results for deamination of phenylalanine, beta-galactosidase, ornithine
decarboxylase, hydrolysis of urea, oxidase, acid production from: methyl beta-
xyloside, adonitol, amygdalin, D- or L-arabitol, dulcitol, erythritol, D- or L-fucose,
galactose, beta-gentiobiose, gluconate, meso-inositol, inulin, 2- or 5-ketogluconate,
lactose, lyxose, melezitose, melibiose, raffinose, rhamnose, sorbitol, sorbose and
xylitol.
Variable results for acidification of salicin, cellobiose and sucrose.
hydrolysis of casein, hydrolysis of gelatin, tyrosine decomposition, acid production
from: glycerol, starch, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, arbutin, fructose, maltose, ribose and
trehalose.
Negative results for deamination of phenylalanine, beta-galactosidase, ornithine
decarboxylase, hydrolysis of urea, oxidase, acid production from: methyl beta-
xyloside, adonitol, amygdalin, D- or L-arabitol, dulcitol, erythritol, D- or L-fucose,
galactose, beta-gentiobiose, gluconate, meso-inositol, inulin, 2- or 5-ketogluconate,
lactose, lyxose, melezitose, melibiose, raffinose, rhamnose, sorbitol, sorbose and
xylitol.
Variable results for acidification of salicin, cellobiose and sucrose.
(c) Costin Stoica
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