What Are Gram-Positive Bacilli?
Gram-positive bacilli belong to a class of rod-shaped bacteria that acquire a violet color when subjected to the Gram staining method. Aside from its characteristic shape, this class of bacteria has a thick peptidoglycan layer, which lends itself to better absorption of antibiotics.
Many Gram-positive bacilli have caused numerous diseases around the world. Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes severe lung disorders and is transmitted through the air by sneezing or coughing. Listeria monocytogenes is a facultative bacteria species that causes listeriosis, one of the primary causes of meningitis and meningoencephalitis. Mycobacterium leprae infection in humans results in Hansen’s disease, more commonly known as leprosy. Bacillus anthracis is the main agent of anthrax, the fatal disease considered a bioterrorism threat in 2001 when bacterial spores were delivered in regular mail.