A bacillus is any bacterium that has a long, thin shape. bacilli a type of bacteria. Some types of bacillus cause diseases. Any of the rod-shaped, gram-positive bacteria (see gram stain) that make up the genus Bacillus, widely found in soil and water. The term is sometimes applied to all rodlike bacteria. Bacilli frequently occur in chains and can form spores under unfavourable environmental conditions. Resistant to heat, chemicals, and sunlight, these spores may remain capable of growing and developing for long periods of time. One type sometimes causes spoilage in canned foods. Another, widespread bacillus contaminates laboratory cultures and is often found on human skin. Most strains do not cause disease in humans, infecting them only incidentally in their role as soil organisms; a notable exception is B. anthracis, which causes anthrax. Some bacilli produce antibiotics
Bacillus is a large genus of gram-positive, spore-bearing, rod-like bacteria They are widely distributed in soil and air (usually as spores) Most feed on dead organic material and are responsible for food spoilage