Background: <br> Bacillus anthracis, which causes anthrax in humans and animals, is enzootic in parts of the U.S. state of Texas where cases are typically reported in animals annually. The gamma phage lysis assay is a common diagnostic method for identifcation of B. anthracis and is based on the bacterium’s susceptibility to lysis. This test has been shown to be 97% specifc for B. anthracis, as ...