Bacterial Species Diversity in Cigarettes Linked to an Investigation of Severe Pneumonitis in U.S. Military Personnel Deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom

Abstract

This report presents results from a study on the bacterial diversity of cigarette brands collected from military personnel during the U.S. Army's investigation of a series of cases of acute eosinophilic pneumonitis in military personnel deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Eight species of Bacillus, including five new species, and one new species of Kurthia were isolated from the cigarettes. Some of these species have been identified elsewhere as causes of hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other respiratory syndromes. All of the isolates were facultative anaerobes, and many displayed mucoid growth under anaerobic conditions. In addition, many isolates also displayed the ability to form surface biofilms under liquid culture. Although biofilm formation and mucoid growth were not correlated, the former was found to be much more pronounced under anaerobic conditions as opposed to aerobic ones. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Analysis of Core Housekeeping and Virulence Genes Reveals Cryptic Lineages ofClostridium perfringensThat Are Associated With Distinct Disease Presentations

“…In addition, during the course of our studies we found that the strains formed distinct groups. The taxonomic identity of these unique groups was investigated by amplifying and sequencing a fragment of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene using the primers and PCR protocol in Rooney et al (2005). The sequencing reactions were performed as described above.…”

Production of polyol oils from soybean oil by bioprocess: results of microbial screening and identification of positive cultures

“…The 16S ribosomal RNA gene from all strains was amplified and sequenced using primers and protocols as described in Rooney et al (2005Rooney et al ( , 2009bRooney et al ( , 2011. Amplified products were purified using ExoSAP-IT (Affymetrix, Santa Clara, CA) and sequenced using BigDye 3.1 on an ABI model 3730 sequencer in the NCAUR core sequencing facility.…”

Review: Is lung inflammation associated with microbes and microbial toxins in cigarette tobacco smoke?

“…The growth of bacteria and mold from warehouse tobacco has been described in the scientific literature and US Patents [28,[33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40]. Candidate microbial agents that have been identified in tobacco are reasonably anticipated to activate lung Ma are very diverse [28,[33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43].…”

“…Candidate microbial agents that have been identified in tobacco are reasonably anticipated to activate lung Ma are very diverse [28,[33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43]. Examples of the tobacco-associated microbes that could activate human lung Ma include both Gram-negative and Gram-positive tobacco-derived bacteria.…”

“…Examples of the tobacco-associated microbes that could activate human lung Ma include both Gram-negative and Gram-positive tobacco-derived bacteria. Ma activation could be induced by bacterial residue, endospores, thermophiles, endotoxin, mold, and mycotoxins [33][34][35]. Tobacco leaf is known to contain the residue of dead bacteriabacteria that grew during the initial phases of tobacco curing, but which died, most probably due to elevated temperatures, as the tobacco fermentation proceeded [35].…”