Bacillus anthracis | Vibepedia

Bacillus anthracis is a Gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterium. It stands as a significant zoonotic threat to humans. Discovered by [[robert-koch|Robert Koch]] in 1876, it was the first bacterium definitively proven to cause disease, providing critical empirical support for the [[germ-theory-of-disease|germ theory of disease]]. The bacterium's virulence is primarily dictated by two plasmids, pXO1 and pXO2, which encode potent toxins and a capsule that evades the immune system. Its ability to form highly resilient endospores allows it to persist in the environment for decades, making eradication a persistent challenge and fueling its notoriety as a potential bioweapon.