Identification and characterization of Bacillus anthracis spores by multiparameter flow cytometry.

In response to the need for methods that can rapidly detect potentially virulent Bacillus anthracis spores, we developed a two-color flow cytometric assay capable of simultaneously identifying B. anthracis spores and the presence of spore-associated protective antigen, a virulence marker for strains harboring the pXO1 plasmid.