In Search of Proximate Triggers of Anthrax Outbreaks in Wildlife: A Hypothetical Individual-Based Model of Plasmid Transfer within Bacillus Communities

Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax in humans, livestock, and wildlife, exists a community with hundreds other species bacteria environment. Work on genetics these communities has shown that B. anthracis shares high percentage chromosomal genes both thuringiensis cereus, phenotypic differences among can result from extra-chromosomal DNA form plasmids. We developed simple hypothetical individual-based model to simulate likelihood detecting plasmids encoding toxins within bacterial composed thuringiensis, surrounding matrix extra-cellular polymeric substances. Simulation results suggest horizontal transfer persisting outside host could function as proximate factor triggering outbreaks.