Daptomycin exerts rapid bactericidal activity against Bacillus anthracis without disrupting membrane integrity.

Aim: To examine whether the novel cyclic lipopeptide antibiotic daptomycin could be used to treat anthrax and to study the mechanisms underlying its bactericidal action against Bacillus anthracis.

Methods: Spore-forming B anthracis AP422 was tested. MIC values of antibiotics were determined.