Bacillus Anthracis

Morphology

i)                    Shape – It is straight or slightly curved rod , the sides are parallel and ends are truncated .

ii)                  Size – It is about 8 μ in length and 0.4 μ in breadth .

iii)                Arrangement – single form is the characteristic form but chain form may be found after artificial cultivation , so it is strepto-bacillus .

iv)                Spores – Central or subterminal apore is found after culture .

v)                  Capsule – Capsule is present and can be demonstrated by McFadyean’s technique .

vi)                Flagellum – There is absence of flagellum , so it is non-motile .

vii)              Gram negative b acillus

viii)            Non acid fast bacillus .

Pathogesis produced by bacillus anthracis

   There will be the enlargement of spleen which will be dark red , soft and the disease hass been called ‘ Splenic fever “ . Septicaemia will develop and bacilli will be excreted in the saliva , urine and faces