Bacillus vs. Bacilli — What's the Difference?

Bacillus (Latin "stick") is a genus of Gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria, a member of the phylum Firmicutes, with 266 named species. The term is also used to describe the shape (rod) of certain bacteria; and the plural Bacilli is the name of the class of bacteria to which this genus belongs.

Bacilli is a taxonomic class of bacteria that includes two orders, Bacillales and Lactobacillales, which contain several well-known pathogens such as Bacillus anthracis (the cause of anthrax). Bacilli are almost exclusively gram-positive bacteria.The name Bacillus, capitalized and italicized, refers to a specific genus of bacteria.

Any of various bacteria, especially a rod-shaped bacterium.

Any of various bacteria, especially a rod-shaped bacterium.

Any of various rod-shaped, spore-forming, aerobic bacteria of the genus Bacillus that often occur in chains and include B. anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax.

Any of various rod-shaped, spore-forming, aerobic bacteria of the genus Bacillus that often occur in chains and include B. anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax.

Any of various rod-shaped, spore-forming aerobic bacteria in the genus Bacillus, some of which cause disease.

Plural of bacillus; usually designating aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacteria; they often occur in chainlike formations.

Any bacilliform (rod-shaped) bacterium.

Aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations; found primarily in soil

Something which spreads like bacterial infection.

A variety of bacterium; a microscopic, rod-shaped vegetable organism.

Aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations; found primarily in soil