Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Parks Rd, Oxford, OX1 3PS, UK.
Trends Microbiol. 2010 May;18(5):189-94. doi: 10.1016/j.tim.2010.02.006. Epub 2010 Mar 24.
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is an insecticidal bacterium that has successfully been used as a biopesticide for many years. It is usually referred to as a soil-dwelling organism, as a result of the prevalence of its spores in this environment, but one that can act as an opportunistic pathogen under appropriate conditions. Our understanding of the biology of this organism has been challenged further by the recent publication of two reports that claim that Bt requires the co-operation of commensal bacteria within the gut of a susceptible insect for its virulence. It is our opinion that Bt is not primarily a saprophyte and does not require the assistance of commensal bacteria but is a true pathogen in its own right and furthermore that its primary means of reproduction is in an insect cadaver.
苏云金芽孢杆菌（Bt）是一种杀虫细菌，多年来已成功用作生物农药。由于其孢子在这种环境中普遍存在，因此通常被称为土壤生物，但在适当条件下也可以作为机会性病原体。最近发表的两份报告进一步挑战了我们对这种生物体生物学的理解，该报告声称 Bt 对其毒力需要易感性昆虫肠道内共生细菌的合作。我们的观点是，Bt 主要不是腐生物，不需要共生细菌的帮助，而是一种真正的病原体，而且它的主要繁殖方式是在昆虫尸体中。
