Bacillus

Bacillus is a genus? of gram-positive? aerobic? bacteria of the family? Bacillaceae?. Bacillus bacteria are ubiquious in nature. They can form roughly spherical spore?s when conditions are stressful and can survive in this dormant state for extended periods. There exist a huge number of species in this genus, most of which are harmless.

The two species considered medically significant are [Bacillus anthracis]? (which causes anthrax) and [Bacillus cereus]? (which can cause food poisoning similar to that of Staphylococcus?).