Spore-forming bacteria

Spore-forming bacteria
Some bacteria are capable of forming spores around themselves. They are Gram-positive and usually rod-shaped. Bacterial spores are made of a tough outer layer of keratin that is resistant to chemicals, staining and heat. The spore allows the bacterium to remain dormant for years, protecting it from various traumas, including temperature differences, the absence of air, water and nutrients. There are two medically-important genera of spore-forming bacteria are: Bacillus, whose species are aerobic spore formers of soils, and Clostridium, whose species are anaerobic spore formers of soils, sediments and the intestinal tracts of animals.
Bacillus
It is aerobic, G+ non-motile rods arranged in chains, spores are located in the center of the cell. Most members of this genus are saprophytic organisms prevalent in soil, water, and air and on vegetation. . Two species are considered medically significant:
-B.anthracis, which causes anthrax
- B.cereus which causes food poisoning similar to that caused by staphylococcus.
The other species of bacillus are:
- B.thuringiensis, is an important insect pathogen, and is sometimes used to control insect,
- B. subtilis it is a notable food spoiled and
- B. Stearothermophilus used for efficiency testing of an autoclave.