Phenotypic Characteristics of the Bacillus cereus Group (after ASM Manual of Clinical Microbiology, 10th Edition)
| Character | B. cereus | B. anthracis | B. thuringiensis | B. mycoides |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rod Mean Diameter (μM) | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 |
| Chains of Cells | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Spore Shape | E (C) | E | E, (C) | E |
| Spore Position | S, C | S | S | S (C) |
| Motility | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Catalase Activity | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Oxidase Activity | No | No | Variable | No |
| Anaerobic Growth | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Growth: | ||||
| 50°C | No | No | No | No |
| 65°C | No | No | No | No |
| Casein, Starch, and Gelatin Hydrolysis | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Nitrate Reduction | Yes | Yes | Yes | Variable |
| Gas from Carbohydrates | No | No | No | No |
| Acid from: | ||||
| D-arabinose | No | No | No | No |
| Glycerol | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Glycogen | Variable | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Inulin | No | No | No | No |
| Mannitol | No | No | No | No |
| Salicin | Variable | No | Variable | Variable |
| n-Trehalose | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Beta Hemolysis | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Growth at pH 5 | Variable | No | No | No |
| Pathogenicity | Opportunistic enteric Pathogen | Major pathogen(Respiratory, skin, & enteric) | Insect pathogen | Non-pathogenic |
Key: For spore shape E = ellipsoidal; S = spherical; C = cylindrical and for spore position; C = central; S = subterminal; T = terminal.