What disease is caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis and can become active when its spores are exposed to certain conditions?

Bacillus anthracis is the causative agent of anthrax, a serious infectious disease that primarily affects livestock but can also infect humans. Anthrax can exist in a dormant spore form that becomes active when exposed to favorable conditions, such as warmth and moisture. This characteristic of Bacillus anthracis makes it particularly concerning as a biological threat since the spores can survive in the environment for long periods without decomposing, only becoming dangerous under specific conditions.

When spores are inhaled, ingested, or come into contact with broken skin, they can reactivate and lead to severe symptoms, depending on the route of exposure. Anthrax can present in several forms, including cutaneous, gastrointestinal, and inhalational, each with distinct clinical manifestations but all stemming from the same bacterium.

In contrast, the other options refer to different infectious agents or conditions caused by other types of pathogens. Botulism is caused by toxins from Clostridium botulinum, tularemia is associated with Francisella tularensis, and typhoid fever is caused by Salmonella typhi. Each of these diseases has unique causative agents and modes of transmission, which distinguish them from anthrax caused by Bacillus anthracis.