''Alkalihalobacillus clausii'' (

synonym A synonym is a word, morpheme, or phrase that means precisely or nearly the same as another word, morpheme, or phrase in a given language. For example, in the English language, the words ''begin'', ''start'', ''commence'', and ''initiate'' are a ...

''Bacillus clausii'') is a rod-shaped, motile, and

spore In biology, a spore is a unit of sexual reproduction, sexual (in fungi) or asexual reproduction that may be adapted for biological dispersal, dispersal and for survival, often for extended periods of time, in unfavourable conditions. Spores fo ...

-forming

bacterium Bacteria (; : bacterium) are ubiquitous, mostly free-living organisms often consisting of one biological cell. They constitute a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria were among the ...

that lives in the soil but is also a natural microbiota of the mammalian gastrointestinal tract. It is classified as

probiotic Probiotics are live microorganisms that provide health benefits when consumed, generally by improving or restoring the microbiota in the gut. Probiotics are considered generally safe to consume, but may cause bacteria– host interactions ...

microorganism that maintains a

symbiotic relationship Symbiosis (Ancient Greek : living with, companionship < : together; and ''bíōsis'': living) is any type of a close and long-term biolo ...

with the host organism. It is currently being studied in relation to respiratory infections and some gastrointestinal disorders. ''Bacillus clausii'' has been found to produce antimicrobial substances that are active against

gram-positive bacteria In bacteriology, gram-positive bacteria are bacteria that give a positive result in the Gram stain test, which is traditionally used to quickly classify bacteria into two broad categories according to their type of cell wall. The Gram stain ...

including ''

Staphylococcus aureus ''Staphylococcus aureus'' is a Gram-positive spherically shaped bacterium, a member of the Bacillota, and is a usual member of the microbiota of the body, frequently found in the upper respiratory tract and on the skin. It is often posi ...

'', ''

Enterococcus faecium ''Enterococcus faecium'' is a Gram-positive, gamma-hemolytic or non-hemolytic bacterium in the genus ''Enterococcus''. It can be commensal (innocuous, coexisting organism) in the gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals, but it may also be ...

'' and ''

Clostridioides difficile ''Clostridioides difficile'' ( syn. ''Clostridium difficile'') is a bacterium known for causing serious diarrheal infections, and may also cause colon cancer. It is known also as ''C. difficile'', or ''C. diff'' (), and is a Gram-positive spec ...

''. It is sold as an

Antidiarrheal Antidiarrheals are a class of medication used primarily to manage and reduce the frequency of diarrhea. This class of medication predominantly works by slowing digestion, reducing fluid loss, or improving absorption. There are four main classes: op ...

under the brand name Erceflora by

Sanofi Sanofi S.A. is a French Multinational corporation, multinational pharmaceutical and healthcare company headquartered in Paris, France. The corporation was established in 1973 and merged with Synthélabo in 1999 to form Sanofi-Synthélabo. In 200 ...

. This species has been recently transferred into the genus ''

Alkalihalobacillus ''Alkalihalobacillus'' is a genus of gram-positive or gram-variable rod-shaped bacteria in the family '' Bacillaceae'' from the order ''Bacillales''. The type species of this genus is '' Alkalihalobacillus alcalophilus.'' This genus comprises sp ...

.'' The correct nomenclature is thus ''Alkalihalobacillus clausii.'' The Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) warns about serious risks for bacteraemia and sepsis due to previous publications. PRAC stipulates marketing conditions for Bacillus clausii. Amendments to be included in the relevant sections of the Product Information (new text underlined and in bold) including 1 Bacteraemia (in immunocompromised patients) 2 In case of reduced body’s defence mechanisms and you are taking (product name) Bacillus clausii may be found in your blood. On Children’s Day 2023, Erceflora Kiddie

brand partnered with

Save the Children The Save the Children Fund, commonly known as Save the Children, is an international non-governmental organization. It was founded in the UK in 1919; its goal is to improve the lives of children worldwide. The organization raises money to imp ...

through the #BatangMatatag Campaign. Erceflora announced it would donate

percentage In mathematics, a percentage () is a number or ratio expressed as a fraction (mathematics), fraction of 100. It is often Denotation, denoted using the ''percent sign'' (%), although the abbreviations ''pct.'', ''pct'', and sometimes ''pc'' are ...

of the sale to the DepEd Campaign.

Genome structure

''Alkalihalobacillus clausii'' has a relatively small genome that contains 4.30 Mbp with 4,108 protein coding genes.

References

External links

*
Bacillus clausiiType strain of ''Bacillus clausii'' at Bac''Dive'' - the Bacterial Diversity Metadatabase
{{Taxonbar, from=Q722949 Probiotics clausii Bacteria described in 1995