Antibiotic susceptibility of isolates of Bacillus anthracis, a bacterial pathogen with the potential to be used in biowarfare.

Bacillus anthracis is a bacterial species that could be used in a bioterrorist attack. We tested a collection of isolates with a range of relevant antimicrobial compounds. All isolates tested were susceptible to ciprofloxacin and doxycycline. Penicillin and amoxicillin, with or without clavulanate, showed in vitro activity against all B. anthracis isolates. Ceftriaxone demonstrated lower-level in vitro activity compared to penicillin-related compounds against B. anthracis. In vitro data from this study are in keeping with available guidelines.