Bacillus Cereus Group Research Articles

Fatty acid profiles and desaturase-encoding genes are different in thermo- and psychrotolerant strains of the Bacillus cereus Group.

BackgroundThe Bacillus cereus Group consists of closely-related bacteria, including pathogenic or harmless strains, and whose species can be positioned along the seven phylogenetic groups of Guinebretière et al. (I–VII). They exhibit different growth-temperature ranges, through thermotolerant to psychrotolerant thermotypes. Among these, B. cytotoxicus is an atypical thermotolerant and food-poisoning agent affiliated to group VII whose thermotolerance contrasts with the mesophilic and psychrotolerant thermotypes associated to the remaining groups I–VI. To understand the role of fatty acid (FA) composition in these variable thermotypes (i.e. growth behavior vs temperatures), we report specific features differentiating the FA pattern of B. cytotoxicus (group VII) from its counterparts (groups I–VI).FindingsThe FA pattern of thermotolerant group VII (B. cytotoxicus) displayed several specific features. Most notably, we identified a high ratio of the branched-chain FAs iso-C15/iso-C13 (i15/i13) and the absence of the unsaturated FA (UFA) C16:1(5) consistent with the absence of ∆5 desaturase DesA. Conversely, phylogenetic groups II–VI were characterized by lower i15/i13 ratios and variable proportions of C16:1(5) depending on thermotype, and presence of the DesA desaturase. In mesophilic group I, thermotype seemed to be related to an atypically high amount of C16:1(10) that may involve ∆10 desaturase DesB.ConclusionThe levels of i15/i13 ratio, C16:1(5) and C16:1(10) UFAs were related to growth temperature variations recorded between thermotypes and/or phylogenetic groups. These FA are likely to play a role in membrane fluidity and may account for the differences in temperature tolerance observed in B. cereus Group strains.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13104-015-1288-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Complete genome sequence and phylogenetic position of the Bacillus cereus group phage JBP901.

Bacteriophage JBP901, isolated from fermented food, is specific for Bacillus cereus group species and exhibits a broad host spectrum among a large number of B. cereus isolates. Genome sequence analysis revealed a linear 159,492-bp genome with overall G+C content of 39.7 mol%, and 201 ORFs. The presence of a putative methylase, the large number of tRNAs, and the large number of nucleotide-metabolism- and replication-related genes in JBP901 reflects its broad lytic capacity. Most of the ORFs showed a high degree of similarity to Bcp1, Bc431v3 and BCP78, and various comparative genomics analyses also consistently clustered JBP901 with orphan (unclassified) Bacillus phages in the subfamily Spounavirinae of the family Myoviridae, supporting the presence of a distinguishable group in the subfamily.

Plasmids are vectors for redundant chromosomal genes in the Bacillus cereus group.

BackgroundProkaryotic plasmids have played significant roles in the evolution of bacterial genomes and have a great impact on the metabolic functions of the host cell. Many bacterial strains contain multiple plasmids, but the relationships between bacterial plasmids and chromosomes are unclear. We focused on plasmids from the Bacillus cereus group because most strains contain several plasmids.ResultsWe collected the genome sequences of 104 plasmids and 20 chromosomes from B. cereus group strains, and we studied the relationships between plasmids and chromosomes by focusing on the pan-genomes of these plasmids and chromosomes. In terms of basic features (base composition and codon usage), the genes on plasmids were more similar to the chromosomal variable genes (distributed genes and unique genes) than to the chromosomal core genes. Although all the functional categories of the chromosomal genes were exhibited by the plasmid genes, the proportions of each category differed between these two gene sets. The 598 gene families shared between chromosomes and plasmids displayed a uniform distribution between the two groups. A phylogenetic analysis of the shared genes, including the chromosomal core gene set, indicated that gene exchange events between plasmids and chromosomes occurred frequently during the evolutionary histories of the strains and species in this group. Moreover, the shared genes between plasmids and chromosomes usually had different promoter and terminator sequences, suggesting that they are regulated by different elements at the transcriptional level.ConclusionsWe speculate that for the entire B. cereus group, adaptive genes are preserved on both plasmids and chromosomes; however, in a single cell, homologous genes on plasmids and the chromosome are controlled by different regulators to reduce the burden of maintaining redundant genes.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-014-1206-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of Bacillus cereus group strains.

Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) subtyping has been used extensively to characterize various bacterial species and to facilitate comparative analysis of geographically diverse populations. To this end, standardized protocols for many different genera and species have been developed, particularly through the PulseNet platform. The Bacillus cereus group of bacteria includes a diverse species set, which are of particular importance in food safety as both human pathogens and spoilage organisms. The application of techniques to differentiate strains of B. cereus can be utilized to assist in both disease outbreak investigations, and also in strategies to monitor and control the organism in food production environments. This chapter describes a PFGE method, which may be applied to differentiate B. cereus strains.

Real-Time PCR Identification of Unique Bacillus anthracis Sequences

Bacillus anthracis is a spore-forming, Grampositive microorganism. It is a causative agent of anthrax, a highly infectious disease. It belongs to the “Bacillus cereus group”, which contains other closely related species, including Bacillus cereus, Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus mycoides, Bacillus weihenstephanensis, and Bacillus pseudomycoides. B. anthracis naturally occurs in soil environments. The BA5345 genetic marker was used for highly specific detection of B. anthracis with TaqMan probes. The detection limit of a real-time PCR assay was estimated at the level of 16.9 copies (CI95% - 37.4 to 37.86, SD = 0.2; SE = 0.118). Oligonucleotides designed for the targeted sequences (within the tested locus) revealed 100 % homology to B. anthracis strain reference sequences deposited in the database (NCBI) and high specificity to all tested B. anthracis strains. Additional in silico analysis of plasmid markers pag and cap genes with B. anthracis strains included in the database was carried out. Our study clearly indicates that the BA5345 marker can be used with success as a chromosomal marker in routine identification of B. anthracis; moreover, detection of plasmid markers indicates virulence of the examined strains.

The Bacillus cereus Group Is an Excellent Reservoir of Novel Lanthipeptides

Lantibiotics are ribosomally synthesized peptides that contain multiple posttranslational modifications. Research on lantibiotics has increased recently, mainly due to their broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, especially against some clinical Gram-positive pathogens. Many reports about various bacteriocins in the Bacillus cereus group have been published, but few were about lantibiotics. In this study, we identified 101 putative lanthipeptide gene clusters from 77 out of 223 strains of this group, and these gene clusters were further classified into 20 types according to their gene organization and the homologies of their functional genes. Among them, 18 types were novel and have not yet been experimentally verified. Two novel lantibiotics (thuricin 4A-4 and its derivative, thuricin 4A-4D) were identified in the type I-1 lanthipeptide gene cluster and showed activity against all tested Gram-positive bacteria. The mode of action of thuricin 4A-4 was studied, and we found that it acted as a bactericidal compound. The transcriptional analysis of four structural genes (thiA1, thiA2, thiA3, and thiA4) in the thuricin 4A gene cluster showed that only one structural gene, thiA4, showed efficient transcription in the exponential growth phase; the other three structural genes did not. In addition, the putative transmembrane protein ThiI was responsible for thuricin 4A-4 immunity. Genome analysis and functional verification illustrated that B. cereus group strains were a prolific source of novel lantibiotics.

Prevalence and characterization of foodborne pathogens from Australian dairy farm environments

The ability of foodborne pathogens to gain entry into food supply systems remains an ongoing concern. In dairy products, raw milk acts as a major vehicle for this transfer; however, the sources of pathogenic bacteria that contaminate raw milk are often not clear, and environmental sources of contamination or the animals themselves may contribute to the transfer. This survey examined the occurrence of 9 foodborne pathogens in raw milk and environments of 7 dairy farms (3 bovine, 3 caprine, and 1 ovine farm) in summer and autumn, in Victoria, Australia. A total of 120 samples were taken from sampling points common to dairy farms, including pasture, soil, feed, water sources, animal feces, raw milk, and milk filters. The prevalence of the Bacillus cereus group, Campylobacter, Clostridium perfringens, Cronobacter, Shiga-toxigenic Escherichia coli, Listeria, Salmonella, coagulase-positive staphylococci (CPS), and Yersinia enterocolitica across the farms was investigated. The 2 most prevalent bacteria, which were detected on all farms, were the B. cereus group, isolated from 41% of samples, followed by Cl. perfringens, which was isolated from 38% of samples. The highest occurrence of any pathogen was the B. cereus group in soil, present in 93% of samples tested. Fecal samples showed the highest diversity of pathogens, containing 7 of the 9 pathogens tested. Salmonella was isolated from 1 bovine farm, although it was found in multiple samples on both visits. Out of the 14 occurrences where any pathogen was detected in milk filters, only 5 (36%) of the corresponding raw milk samples collected at the same time were positive for the same pathogen. All of the CPS were Staphylococcus aureus, and were found in raw milk or milk filter samples from 6 of the 7 farms, but not in other sample types. Pathogenic Listeria species were detected on 3 of the 7 farms, and included 4 L. ivanovii-positive samples, and 1 L. monocytogenes-positive water sample. Shiga-toxigenic Escherichia coli were identified in fecal samples from 3 of the 7 farms and in a single raw milk sample. Cronobacter species were identified on 4 of the 7 farms, predominantly in feed samples. No Y. enterocolitica was detected. Results of this study demonstrate high standards of pathogen safety across the 7 farms, with a low incidence of pathogens detected in raw milk samples. Monitoring feed contamination levels may help control the spread of bacterial species such as Cl. perfringens and B. cereus through the farm environment, which is a natural reservoir for these organisms.

Functional characterization and phylogenetic analysis of acquired and intrinsic macrolide phosphotransferases in the Bacillus cereus group.

The Bacillus cereus group is composed of Gram-positive spore-forming bacteria of clinical and ecological importance. More than 200 B. cereus group isolates have been sequenced. However, there are few reports of B. cereus group antibiotic resistance genes. This study identified two functional classes of macrolide phosphotransferases (Mphs) in the B. cereus group. Cluster A Mphs inactivate 14- and 15-membered macrolides while Cluster B Mphs inactivate 14-, 15- and 16-membered compounds. The genomic region surrounding the Cluster B Mph gene is related to various plasmid sequences, suggesting that this gene is an acquired resistance gene. In contrast, the Cluster A Mph gene is located in a chromosomal region conserved among all B. cereus group isolates, and data indicated that it was acquired early in the evolution of the group. Therefore, the Cluster A gene can be considered an intrinsic resistance gene. However, the gene itself is not present in all strains and our comparative genomics analyses showed that it is exchanged among strains of the B. cereus group by the mean of homologous recombination. These results provide an alternative mechanism to intrinsic resistance.

NaCl을 첨가한 데침 열처리 취나물의 미생물 보존성

Abstract To improve microbiological quality of Aster scaber during storage and distribution, hurdle technology with the sanitizers and packaging methods was used. After blanching, total aerobic bacteria of Aster scaber treated with 20% ethanol and 10% NaCl were measured at 2 log CFU/g after 6 days. Total aerobic bacteria of blanched Aster scaber at 100℃ were measured at 2 log CFU/g, and the storage at 4℃ effectively inhibited the growth of bacteria. Repeated blanching using water with added NaCl at 80℃ showed similar microbial growth inhibition compared with treatment at 100℃. After vacuum packaging, blanched sample showed 2 log CFU/g of total aerobic bacteria during 10 days (the storage at 4℃). Therefore, repeated blanching using the water with added 10% NaCl improved the microbiological quality of Aster scaber. We also found that repeated blanching after vacuum packaging was an effective way for storage and distribution of Aster scaber. In conclusion, blanching two times in the 10% salt water or in vacuum packaging at 80~100℃ would be helpful to control the microbes during storage and distribution. Key words: Aster scaber, hurdle technology, total microbe, Bacillus cereus group, lactic acid

The genomes, proteomes, and structures of three novel phages that infect the Bacillus cereus group and carry putative virulence factors.

This article reports the results of studying three novel bacteriophages, JL, Shanette, and Basilisk, which infect the pathogen Bacillus cereus and carry genes that may contribute to its pathogenesis. We analyzed host range and superinfection ability, mapped their genomes, and characterized phage structure by mass spectrometry and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The JL and Shanette genomes were 96% similar and contained 217 open reading frames (ORFs) and 220 ORFs, respectively, while Basilisk has an unrelated genome containing 138 ORFs. Mass spectrometry revealed 23 phage particle proteins for JL and 15 for Basilisk, while only 11 and 4, respectively, were predicted to be present by sequence analysis. Structural protein homology to well-characterized phages suggested that JL and Shanette were members of the family Myoviridae, which was confirmed by TEM. The third phage, Basilisk, was similar only to uncharacterized phages and is an unrelated siphovirus. Cryogenic electron microscopy of this novel phage revealed a T=9 icosahedral capsid structure with the major capsid protein (MCP) likely having the same fold as bacteriophage HK97 MCP despite the lack of sequence similarity. Several putative virulence factors were encoded by these phage genomes, including TerC and TerD involved in tellurium resistance. Host range analysis of all three phages supports genetic transfer of such factors within the B. cereus group, including B. cereus, B. anthracis, and B. thuringiensis. This study provides a basis for understanding these three phages and other related phages as well as their contributions to the pathogenicity of B. cereus group bacteria. Importance: The Bacillus cereus group of bacteria contains several human and plant pathogens, including B. cereus, B. anthracis, and B. thuringiensis. Phages are intimately linked to the evolution of their bacterial hosts and often provide virulence factors, making the study of B. cereus phages important to understanding the evolution of pathogenic strains. Herein we provide the results of detailed study of three novel B. cereus phages, two highly related myoviruses (JL and Shanette) and an unrelated siphovirus (Basilisk). The detailed characterization of host range and superinfection, together with results of genomic, proteomic, and structural analyses, reveal several putative virulence factors as well as the ability of these phages to infect different pathogenic species.

Quorum sensing in Bacillus thuringiensis is required for completion of a full infectious cycle in the insect.

Bacterial cell-cell communication or quorum sensing (QS) is a biological process commonly described as allowing bacteria belonging to a same pherotype to coordinate gene expression to cell density. In Gram-positive bacteria, cell-cell communication mainly relies on cytoplasmic sensors regulated by secreted and re-imported signaling peptides. The Bacillus quorum sensors Rap, NprR, and PlcR were previously identified as the first members of a new protein family called RNPP. Except for the Rap proteins, these RNPP regulators are transcription factors that directly regulate gene expression. QS regulates important biological functions in bacteria of the Bacillus cereus group. PlcR was first characterized as the main regulator of virulence in B. thuringiensis and B. cereus. More recently, the PlcR-like regulator PlcRa was characterized for its role in cysteine metabolism and in resistance to oxidative stress. The NprR regulator controls the necrotrophic properties allowing the bacteria to survive in the infected host. The Rap proteins negatively affect sporulation via their interaction with a phosphorelay protein involved in the activation of Spo0A, the master regulator of this differentiation pathway. In this review we aim at providing a complete picture of the QS systems that are sequentially activated during the lifecycle of B. cereus and B. thuringiensis in an insect model of infection.

Regulation of cry gene expression in Bacillus thuringiensis.

Bacillus thuringiensis differs from the closely related Bacillus cereus group species by its ability to produce crystalline inclusions. The production of these crystals mainly results from the expression of the cry genes, from the stability of their transcripts and from the synthesis, accumulation and crystallization of large amounts of insecticidal Cry proteins. This process normally coincides with sporulation and is regulated by various factors operating at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional, metabolic and post-translational levels.

Phages preying on Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus cereus, and Bacillus thuringiensis: past, present and future.

Many bacteriophages (phages) have been widely studied due to their major role in virulence evolution of bacterial pathogens. However, less attention has been paid to phages preying on bacteria from the Bacillus cereus group and their contribution to the bacterial genetic pool has been disregarded. Therefore, this review brings together the main information for the B. cereus group phages, from their discovery to their modern biotechnological applications. A special focus is given to phages infecting Bacillus anthracis, B. cereus and Bacillus thuringiensis. These phages belong to the Myoviridae, Siphoviridae, Podoviridae and Tectiviridae families. For the sake of clarity, several phage categories have been made according to significant characteristics such as lifestyles and lysogenic states. The main categories comprise the transducing phages, phages with a chromosomal or plasmidial prophage state, γ-like phages and jumbo-phages. The current genomic characterization of some of these phages is also addressed throughout this work and some promising applications are discussed here.

Crystalliferous Bacillus cereus group bacteria from a Maryland hardwood forest are dominated by psychrotolerant strains.

Crystal-forming bacteria of the Bacillus cereus group were isolated from soil samples collected at different elevations within a mixed hardwood forest in central Maryland, and their phylogenetic relationships determined by multilocus sequence analysis. The vast majority of isolates obtained were associated with two phylogenetic groups known to be psychrotolerant, with very few isolates representing phylogenetic groups more typically associated with Bacillus thuringiensis. Isolates from the psychrotolerant groups were found to grow on solid media at 7°C. Isolates of 11 highly related, novel sequence types (STs) from the psychrotolerant group that includes Bacillus weihenstephanensis were generally found at higher elevations, and were not associated with soils near streams. Isolates of two related STs from the second psychrotolerant group were nearly always found at the bottoms of ravines near streams, in areas abundant in earthworm castings.

Incidence, diversity and characteristics of spores of psychrotolerant spore formers in various REPFEDS produced in Belgium

The major objectives of this study were to determine the incidence of psychrotolerant spore formers from REPFEDS marketed in Belgium, and their diversity and characteristics. Spore formers in general were found as spores on 38.3% of the food samples and in 85% food products types evaluated. 76% of the food samples containing spore formers had spores before enrichment. A total of 86 spore formers were isolated from the samples. 28 of 86 bacterial spore formers (32.6%) were capable of vegetative growth at 7 °C. 96% (27/28) of these psychrotolerant spore formers were determined to belong to Bacillus or related genera. According to a (GTG)5-PCR analysis, 24 of these 28 isolates were genetically distinct from each other. 10.7% (3/28) of the bacilli were determined to belong to the Bacillus cereus group, namely B. cereus (chicken curry and Edam cheese) and Bacillus mycoides (Emmental cheese). Almost half of the bacilli (12/27) were putatively identified as Bacillus pumilus, which occurs ubiquitously in nature and has been associated with outbreaks of foodborne disease. Only one psychrotolerant clostridium, Clostridium tyrobutyricum, was isolated in the study. The results of this study show the highly diverse ecology and spoilage potential of psychrotolerant spore formers in REPFEDs marketed in Belgium.

Prevalence and characterization of Bacillus cereus group from various marketed dairy products in India

Bacillus cereus group, associated with foodborne outbreaks and dairy defects such as sweet curdling and bitterness of milk, is an indicator of poor hygiene, and high numbers are unacceptable. In the present study, the prevalence of B. cereus group was investigated in a total of 230 samples belonging to eight different types of dairy products marketed in India. The prevalence of B. cereus group in cheese, ice cream, milk powder, and milk was high (33%–55%), whereas it was low in butter and paneer samples (20% and 4%, respectively). None of the curd and khoa samples were found contaminated. The level of contamination in the various dairy products was up to 108 cfu.g−1 or mL−1. An antibiogram of 144 isolates of B. cereus group was obtained using 14 different antibiotics commonly used against foodborne diseases. All the 144 isolates were multidrug (at least five antibiotics) resistant. Ninety-three percent of them exhibited β-hemolysis. Of the 144 isolates, 97%, 96%, and 63% were capable of producing protease, lipase, and amylase, respectively, indicating spoilage potentiality of the isolates. Seventy-one percent of the isolates formed biofilm at 4 °C. The principal component analysis allowed classifying different correlated variables into two types of risks (spoilage and food poisoning). Hierarchical cluster analysis classified isolates into four main groups on the basis of the studied characters. The present study will help to better assess the health and spoilage risk associated with B. cereus group in dairy environment and to incorporate adequate preventive measures.

Comparison of procedures for the extraction of supernatants and cytotoxicity tests in Vero cells, applied to assess the toxigenic potential of Bacillus spp. and Lactobacillus spp., intended for use as probiotic strains

Interest in using Bacillus strains as probiotic components of animal feeds has grown in recent years. However, some of these strains, especially those taxonomically related to the Bacillus cereus group, may have enterotoxigenic activity. Assessment of their toxigenic potential by well-established and robust protocols is required before authorizing their use in animal nutrition. Three methods of extraction and concentration of supernatants of Bacillus and Lactobacillus strains (methanol extraction, ammonium sulphate and ultrafiltration concentration) and three cytotoxic tests in Vero cells (WST-1, LDH and protein synthesis inhibition assays) for the assessment of the cytotoxicity activity of Lactobacillus strains (as probiotic strains in human and animal nutrition) and Bacillus toyonensis BCT-7112T (as animal probiotic strain in animal nutrition—Toyocerin®-) were evaluated in this study. Methanol extraction was not useful under any circumstances. The other two concentration methods (ammonium sulphate and ultrafiltration) were feasible, with slightly greater sensitivity achieved by ultrafiltration. The probiotic strain B. toyonensis BCT-7112T proved to be a non-cytotoxic strain in all the protocols tested. However, some Lactobacillus strains showed cytotoxicity activity, regardless of the protocols applied.

Ovotransferrin Plays a Major Role in the Strong Bactericidal Effect of Egg White against the Bacillus cereus Group

Bacillus cereus group bacteria are opportunistically pathogenic spore-forming microorganisms well known in the sector of pasteurized food products because of their involvement in spoilage events. In the sector of egg product processing, these bacteria may lead to important economic losses. It seemed then relevant to study their behavior in egg white, a widely used egg product usually recognized as developing different levels of antimicrobial activities depending on the environmental conditions. A strong bactericidal effect (decrease in the bacterial population of 6.1 ± 0.2 log CFU/ml) was observed for 68 B. cereus group isolates, independently incubated at 30°C in egg white at pH 9.3 (natural egg white pH). To determine which components could explain such a strong bactericidal effect, an experimental strategy was carried out, based on egg white fractionation by ultrafiltration and by anion-exchange liquid chromatography. The role of the protein fraction was thus demonstrated, and subsequent nano-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analyses allowed identification of ovotransferrin as a major protein involved. The strong bactericidal effect was confirmed in the presence of commercial ovotransferrin. Such a bactericidal effect (i.e., a decrease in the bacterial population through cell death) had never been described because ovotransferrin is known for its bacteriostatic effect (i.e., inhibition of growth) due to its ability to chelate iron. Surprisingly, the addition of iron did not reverse the bactericidal effect of ovotransferrin under alkaline conditions (pH 9.3), whereas it completely reversed this effect at pH 7.3. Ovotransferrin was shown to provoke a perturbation of the electrochemical potential of the cytoplasmic membrane. A membrane disturbance mechanism could, hence, be involved, leading to the lysis of B. cereus group bacteria incubated in egg white.

Toxingen-Profiling bei Bakterien der Bacillus cereus-Gruppe

Differentiation of bacteria of the Bacillus cereus group often plays a minor role in the area of food microbiology, especially in routine laboratory diagnostics. Bacteria of the B. cereus group are more often used as hygienic parameter; however, a thorough risk assessment with respect to their potential for causing foodborne illnesses is frequently neglected. The detection of different toxin gene profiles of presumptive B. cereus strains allows a comprehensive risk assessment in the context of pre — ventive consumer protection.

Prevalence, genetic diversity, and host range of tectiviruses among members of the Bacillus cereus group.

GIL01, Bam35, GIL16, AP50, and Wip1 are tectiviruses preying on the Bacillus cereus group. Despite the significant contributions of phages in different biological processes, little is known about the dealings taking place between tectiviruses and their Gram-positive bacterial hosts. Therefore, this work focuses on characterizing the interactions between tectiviruses and the B. cereus group by assessing their occurrence and genetic diversity and evaluating their host range. To study the occurrence of tectiviruses in the B. cereus group, 2,000 isolates were evaluated using primers designed to be specific to two variable regions detected in previously described elements. PCR and propagation tests revealed that tectivirus-like elements occurred in less than 3% of the isolates. Regardless of this limited distribution, several novel tectiviruses were found, and partial DNA sequencing indicated that a greater diversity exists within the family Tectiviridae. Analyses of the selected variable regions, along with their host range, showed that tectiviruses in the B. cereus group can be clustered mainly into two different groups: the ones infecting B. anthracis and those isolated from other B. cereus group members. In order to address the host range of some novel tectiviruses, 120 strains were tested for sensitivity. The results showed that all the tested tectiviruses produced lysis in at least one B. cereus sensu lato strain. Moreover, no simple relationship between the infection patterns of the tectiviruses and their diversity was found.