Bacillus anthracis and Bacillus cereus: Understanding the Pathogenicity and Host Interactions

Dear Colleagues,

Anthrax, caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, is one of the most serious zoonoses. Bacillus anthracis escapes attack by host immune cells, germinates from spores in living cells, and multiplies as vegetative cells in the blood. During the infection process, the bacteria express toxin proteins that cause cell edema and necrosis, resulting in severe damage to the host. The pathogenicity of B. anthracis is not completely understood in many respects.

Bacillus cereus is endemic in the environment as spores, and after invading the host, it multiplies in the bloodstream and causes sepsis. Although B. cereus possesses many endogenous virulence factors, it is still unclear how the expression of these virulence genes is regulated.

In this Special Issue, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the pathogenicity of Bacillus anthracis or Bacillus cereus from a wide range of fields. We hope to contribute to the analysis of pathogenicity by collecting research findings, including genome analysis of pathogen and host interactions such as the immune response. Article types include, but are not limited to, original research papers, review articles, case reports, etc.

We look forward to receiving valuable contributions.

Dr. Akiko Okutani
Guest Editor

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