- Key Characteristics
- Gram-positive rods
- Non-hemolytic
- Non-motile
- Catalase positive
- Spores present when cultured aerobically without CO2
ISOLATES WITH THE ABOVE CHARACTERISTICS SHOULD BE REPORTED TO THE
PATIENT'S PHYSICIAN AS BACILLUS SPECIES, UNABLE TO RULE-OUT B. ANTHRACIS.
CONTACT YOUR STATE PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORY FOR INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT
REFERRING THE ISOLATE OR SPECIMEN.
- Colony Characteristics
- Rapidly-growing colonies 2-5 mm overnight at 35°C
- Non-pigmented, dry ground glass surface, flat or slightly
convex, irregular edges with comma projections (Medusa head)
- Sticky (tenacious) consistency. When teased with loop, will
stand up like beaten egg white
- Colonies are not hemolytic on sheep blood agar
- Microscopic Characteristics
- Large Gram-positive bacillus, singly and in chains. May
become Gram-variable after 72 hours. May be encapsulated in clinical
material and blood cultures
- Terminal/subterminal spores do not swell vegetative cells.
Spores may be seen on Gram stain, malachite green stain or by phase
contrast microscopy
- Spores are not present in clinical material unless exposed
to low CO2 levels, such as those found in the atmosphere. Higher levels
will inhibit sporulation.
- Safety
- Biosafety Level 2 for processing clinical specimens
- Biosafety Level 3 practices for all culture manipulations
that might produce aerosols
- Contact
- If you suspect the above agent, immediately contact (in the order presented):
- Drs. Lucy DesJardin and Mike Pentella at the University
Hygienic Laboratory. If they aren't readily available, ask for someone in
the Bacteriology, Virology, Serology, or Molecular laboratory.
319.335.4500 or 1.800.421.IOWA(4692)
- University Hygienic Laboratory Duty Officer
319.335.4500 or 319.530.5981
- As a final resort, the following 24-hour emergency hotlines
have been established:
Iowa Public Health Emergency Terrorism/Disaster Notification Hotline
1.866.834.9671
Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 Spill Hotline
913.281.0991
CDC Hotline 404.639.2540 or 777.488.7100
National Response Center (oil and chemical spills) 800.424.8802
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