Bacillus anthracis (anthrax) is a bacterium that infects organisms through sporulation. Bacillus anthracis can be aerobic (needs oxygen) or facultative anaerobic (does not need oxygen). It is also a gram positive bacterium that can be found in the soil of humid and humid climates (Hicks, 2012). The bacterium is part of the Bacillus Cereus species (Koehler, 2009). It is known to infect life forms in four different ways. The infection can be caused through digestion by eating food contaminated with the bacteria. Another way is through inhalation; which occurs through the respiration of spores. The third route of infection is through the skin, called cutaneous; this infection occurs through open wounds. The most recently discovered form of infection is via injection; the use of needles (Hicks, 2012). Although it is not common to find it in rich countries; there have been numerous outbreaks in Europe and the United States. It is also being considered for bioterrorism (Sweeney, 2011). Symptoms of the early stages of anthrax can be misinterpreted as less lethal conditions (Hicks, 2012). For patients with a possible anthrax infection it can be determined by gram-positive staining. It can also be diagnosed by confirmatory tests, such as PCR (polymerase chain reaction) (Sweeney, 2011). PCR focuses on certain strands of DNA for replication and identification of the organism (Genetic, 2014). Anthrax toxin antagonists may be considered for recovery; but antibiotic therapy is the most common use of the treatment (Sweeney, 2011). Bacillus anthracis is a non-motile, elongated rod-shaped bacterium that will generate dormant spores with or without oxygen. When the spores are exposed to high levels of carbon dioxide and heat, they adapt to a... middle of paper... four deaths in England and one death in Germany from injected anthrax. In nine out of ten cases, tissue swelling and tissue infection at the injection site occurred from the first to the tenth day after the injection. The skin color change due to anthrax is subtle as it is similar to injecting heroin. Other reported symptoms are excessive bleeding and edema; if left untreated the infected person would begin to develop organ failure (Hicks, 2012). In conclusion Bacillus anthracis is a bacterium that thrives in the soil. It can infect its hosts in many ways. It can be fatal if not treated with the right antibiotics or surgery. Epidemics are not common, but when they have occurred it has been due to vegetative spores released by the bacterium. Anthrax infections can be complicated, and symptoms may or may not be obvious. It can be dangerous.