The Bacillus cereus containing sub-branch most closely related to Bacillus anthracis, have single amino acid substitutions in small acid-soluble proteins, while remaining sub-branches are more variable.

Hoffmaster et al. [Hoffmaster AR, Ravel J, Rasko DA, Chapman GD, Chute MD, Marston CK, et al. Identification of anthrax toxin genes in Bacillus cereus associated with illness resembling inhalation anthrax.

Bacillus cereus strains fall into two clusters (one closely and one more distantly related) to Bacillus anthracis according to amino acid substitutions in small acid-soluble proteins as determined by tandem mass spectrometry.

Small acid-soluble proteins (SASPs) are located in the core region of Bacillus spores and have been previously demonstrated as reliable biomarkers for differentiating Bacillus anthracis and Bacillus cereus. Using MS and MS-MS analysis of SASPs further phylogenetic correlations among B. anthracis and B.

Rapid discrimination of Bacillus anthracis from other members of the B. cereus group by mass and sequence of "intact" small acid soluble proteins (SASPs) using mass spectrometry.

The intentional contamination of buildings, e.g. anthrax in the bioterrorism attacks of 2001, demonstrated that the population can be affected rapidly and lethally if the appropriate treatment is not provided at the right time.

Strain discrimination among B. anthracis and related organisms by characterization of bclA polymorphisms using PCR coupled with agarose gel or microchannel fluidics electrophoresis.

The bclA gene codes for the protein backbone of the exosporium glycoprotein BclA of B. anthracis. BclA has a central collagen-like region formed by polymorphic GXX repeats and conserved amino- and carboxy-termini.