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Bacillus thuringiensis as a surrogate for Bacillus anthracis in aerosol research

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Abstract

Characterization of candidate surrogate spores prior to experimental use is critical to confirm that the surrogate characteristics are as closely similar as possible to those of the pathogenic agent of interest. This review compares the physical properties inherent to spores of Bacillus anthracis (Ba) and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) that impact their movement in air and interaction with surfaces, including size, shape, density, surface morphology, structure and hydrophobicity. Also evaluated is the impact of irradiation on the physical properties of both Bacillus species. Many physical features of Bt and Ba have been found to be similar and, while Bt is considered typically non-pathogenic, it is in the B. cereus group, as is Ba. When cultured and sporulated under similar conditions, both microorganisms share a similar cylindrical pellet shape, an aerodynamic diameter of approximately 1 μm (in the respirable size range), have an exosporium with a hairy nap, and have higher relative hydrophobicities than other Bacillus species. While spore size, morphology, and other physical properties can vary among strains of the same species, the variations can be due to growth/sporulation conditions and may, therefore, be controlled. Growth and sporulation conditions are likely among the most important factors that influence the representativeness of one species, or preparation, to another. All Bt spores may, therefore, not be representative of all Ba spores. Irradiated spores do not appear to be a good surrogate to predict the behavior of non-irradiated spores due to structural damage caused by the irradiation. While the use of Bt as a surrogate for Ba in aerosol testing appears to be well supported, this review does not attempt to narrow selection between Bt strains. Comparative studies should be performed to test the hypothesis that viable Ba and Bt spores will behave similarly when suspended in the air (as an aerosol) and to compare the known microscale characteristics versus the macroscale response.

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Acknowledgments

This project was supported in part by an appointment to the Research Participation Program at the National Homeland Security Research Center, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education through an interagency agreement between the U.S. Department of Energy and EPA. Additionally, the authors would like to thank Gene Rice (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio), Vipin Rastogi (US Army – ECBC, APG, MD) and Timothy Dean (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC) for their critical review of this manuscript.

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  1. Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA

    Jenia A. M. Tufts

  2. National Homeland Security Research Center, US EPA, MD E343-06, Office of Research and Development, 109 TW Alexander Dr., Research Triangle Park, NC, USA

    Jenia A. M. Tufts, M. Worth Calfee, Sang Don Lee & Shawn P. Ryan

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  1. Jenia A. M. Tufts
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Correspondence to M. Worth Calfee.

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Disclaimer The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), through its Office of Research and Development’s National Homeland Security Research Center, funded, directed and managed this work. This manuscript has been peer and administratively reviewed and has been approved for publication as an EPA document. Note that approval does not signify that the contents necessarily reflect the views of the agency. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use of a specific product. This review was generated using some references (secondary data) that could not be evaluated for accuracy, precision, representativeness, completeness, or comparability and, therefore, no assurance can be made that the data extracted from these publications meet EPA’s stringent Quality Assurance requirements.

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Tufts, J.A.M., Calfee, M.W., Lee, S.D. et al. Bacillus thuringiensis as a surrogate for Bacillus anthracis in aerosol research. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 30, 1453–1461 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-013-1576-x

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