This is a clever form of host mimicry. Endospores Are highly resistant structures that are produced within some cells and can propagate a new cell. They are metabolically dormant, containing a genome and some essential enzymes. Contains large amounts of Ca complexed to dipicolinic acid. Boiling and most chemical disinfectants do not affect viability.
Spores can remain dormant in soil or other dry environments for years with little loss of viability.
When placed in an appropriate environment they can germinate to form active cells. Spores may be deposited in a wound and cause an infection at that site. A. Endospores are restricted to some gram positive bacteria. There are only two gram positive genera that are medically important. Bacillus anthracis 2.