TABLE 3Primary physiological and biochemical characteristics of B. anthracis (all incubations at 35 °C)

CHARACTERISTICREACTIONCOMMENT
Spores and cellsSpores central/subterminal, not swelling sporangium (see section 6.3.1.1).
Haemolysis on sheep/horse blood agar–See section 6.3.1.2.
Egg yolk reaction+Look under the colony (see section 6.3.1.3).
Motile–See section 6.3.1.4.
Susceptible to “gamma” phage+Phage-resistant isolates have been encountered on rare occasions (see section 6.3.1.5).
Susceptible to penicillin+Penicillin-resistant isolates have been encountered on rare occasions (see section 7.1.2).
Capsule production+Naturally occurring Cap- isolates are occasionally encountered (see section 6.3.1.6).
Oxidase+
Ammonium salt glucose+Negative only accepted after incubation for 14 days.
Ammonium salt arabinose–- “ -
Ammonium salt xylose–- “ -
Ammonium salt mannitol–- “ -
Ammonium salt salicin–- “ -
Catalase production+
Indole–Negative only accepted after incubation for 14 days.
Voges-Proskauer (VP)+Negative only accepted after incubation for 14 days. Also see section 6.3.1.7.
Citrate utilization–Negative only accepted after incubation for 14 days. Also see section 6.3.1.8.
Growth in 5% NaClvNegative only accepted after incubation for 14 days. Also see section 6.3.1.9.
Gelatin hydrolysis+
Nitrate reduction+See section 6.3.1.10.
Casein hydrolysis+See section 6.3.1.11.
Starch hydrolysis+See section 6.3.1.12.
Urease–Negative only accepted after incubation for 14 days.
Phenylalanine deaminationvNegative only accepted after incubation for 14 days. Also see section 6.3.1.13.
Propionate utilization–Negative only accepted after incubation for 14 days. Also see section 6.3.1.14.

v = variable.

From: 6, Bacteriology

Cover of Anthrax in Humans and Animals
Anthrax in Humans and Animals. 4th edition.
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