Fatal pneumonia among metalworkers due to inhalation exposure to Bacillus cereus Containing Bacillus anthracis toxin genes.
Bacillus cereus pneumonia is unusual in nonimmunocompromised hosts. We describe fatal cases in 2 metalworkers and the associated investigation. Anthrax toxin genes were identified in B. cereus isolates from both patients using polymerase chain reaction. Finding anthrax toxin genes in non-Bacillus anthracis isolates has, to our knowledge, only been reported once previously.
Avashia
Swati B
SB
Epidemic Intelligence Service, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. sbavashia@sbcglobal.net
Riggins
W S
WS
Lindley
Connie
C
Hoffmaster
Alex
A
Drumgoole
Rahsaan
R
Nekomoto
Trudi
T
Jackson
Paul J
PJ
Hill
Karen K
KK
Williams
Karen
K
Lehman
Lulu
L
Libal
Melissa C
MC
Wilkins
Patricia P
PP
Alexander
James
J
Tvaryanas
Anthony
A
Betz
Tom
T
D000328:Adult; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D001408:Bacillus anthracis / Q000235:genetics*; D001409:Bacillus cereus / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000235:genetics*; D004391:Dust; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000401:mortality; D014896:Welding
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D004391:Dust; C030325:anthrax toxin