Drosophila melanogaster is a model for the study of innate immunity, yet we have limited knowledge of its natural pathogens. In this study, we sequenced the genome of Lysinibacillus fusiformis strain Juneja, isolated from laboratory fly stocks. As a Gram-positive bacterium with unique peptidoglycans, this strain may provide a new model for pathogen recognition.

AIMS To present the pairwise comparison of potential mosquito-pathogenic Bacillus strains based on their SDS-PAGE protein patterns and to evaluate their characteristic toxicity patterns. METHODS AND RESULTS In this work, 20 Bacillus strains were subjected to qualitative toxicity tests against Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus larvae. The selected strains were then characterized by SDS-...

Two biological formulations of microbial agents Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus sphaericus known by their trade names as Vectobac 12 AS and VectoLex CG (Corn Cob) granules, respectively were obtained from Abbott Laboratories of North Chicago, USA. The B. sphaericus formulation was used in trials against Culex mosquito larvae in choked gutters at Labadi, Ashaiman and Nungua in the Greater Ac...

The effectiveness of larvicide and adulticide treatments against mosquitoes at a constructed wetland in San Jacinto, California was assessed with larval surveys, trapping of emerging adults, and collections of host-seeking females by carbon dioxide-baited traps. Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti, Bactimos pellets) applied at a rate of 19 kg/ha did not demonstrably affect Culex larval...

The phosphotransferase system (PTS) is involved in the use of carbon sources in bacteria. Bacillus sphaericus, a bacterium with the ability to produce insecticidal proteins, is unable to use hexoses and pentoses as the sole carbon source, but it has ptsHI genes encoding the two general proteins of the PTS: enzyme I (EI) and the histidine phosphocarrier (HPr). In this work, we describe the bioph...

D-Vinylglycine (2-amino-3-butenoate) functions as a transamination substrate and irreversible inactivator of the homogeneous pyridoxal phosphate-dependent D-amino acid transaminases from Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus sphaericus. In the absence of alpha-ketoglutarate as co-substrate, vinyl-glycine causes little if any inactivation of either enzyme; in the presence of excess alpha-ketoglutarate,...

Self-healing concrete holds promising benefits to reduce the cost for concrete maintenance and repair as cracks are autonomously repaired without any human intervention. In this study, the application of a carbonate precipitating bacterium Bacillus sphaericus was explored. Regarding the harsh condition in concrete, B. sphaericus spores were first encapsulated into a modified-alginate based hydr...

Bacterial insecticides have been used for the control of nuisance and vector mosquitoes for more than two decades. Nevertheless, due primarily to their high cost and often only moderate efficacy, these insecticides remain of limited use in tropical countries where mosquito-borne diseases are prevalent. Recently, however, recombinant DNA techniques have been used to improve bacterial insecticide...

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis is responsible for amphibian declines worldwide. Decreasing the aquatic density of this chytrid through consumption its infectious zoospores by Cladocera (water fleas) may mitigate impact chytridiomycosis. Understanding predator-prey relationship requires insights in zoospore ingestion rate an average water flea, but such data are almost non-existent. We investiga...

A patient is described who suffered from severe chronic asthma complicated by repeated chest infections. She developed a large gelatinous pseudotumour of the lung which was found to be caused by Bacillus sphaericus.