Minicell formation in chloramphenicol-treated Bacillus cereus

Abstract

Bacillus cereus incubated in a synthetic medium containing chloramphenicol, 19 μg/ml, a concentration which is slightly below the minimal inhibitory level, was observed to form from one to several minicells through a series of cytological changes including septum initiation, invagination and completion at the subpolar region of the cell, rupture of the peripheral cell wall along the circumferential path of this region, and finally cell separation. The minicells are spherical or spheroidal in shape. A small number of heart-shaped cells was also seen.