Bacillus cereus , a Volatile Human Pathogen

Abstract

SUMMARY Bacillus cereus is a Gram-positive aerobic or facultatively anaerobic, motile, spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium that is widely distributed environmentally. While B. cereus is associated mainly with food poisoning, it is being increasingly reported to be a cause of serious and potentially fatal non-gastrointestinal-tract infections. The pathogenicity of B. cereus, whether intestinal or nonintestinal, is intimately associated with the production of tissue-destructive exoenzymes. Among these secreted toxins are four hemolysins, three distinct phospholipases, an emesis-inducing toxin, and proteases. The major hurdle in evaluating B. cereus when isolated from a clinical specimen is overcoming its stigma as an insignificant contaminant. Outside its notoriety in association with food poisoning and severe eye infections, this bacterium has been incriminated in a multitude of other clinical conditions such as anthrax-like progressive pneumonia, fulminant sepsis, and devastating central nervous system infections, particularly in immunosuppressed individuals, intravenous drug abusers, and neonates. Its role in nosocomial acquired bacteremia and wound infections in postsurgical patients has also been well defined, especially when intravascular devices such as catheters are inserted. Primary cutaneous infections mimicking clostridial gas gangrene induced subsequent to trauma have also been well documented. B. cereus produces a potent β-lactamase conferring marked resistance to β-lactam antibiotics. Antimicrobials noted to be effective in the empirical management of a B. cereus infection while awaiting antimicrobial susceptibility results for the isolate include ciprofloxacin and vancomycin.

Erratum to: Seasonal trend and clinical presentation of Bacillus cereus bloodstream infection: association with summer and indwelling catheter

“…Recent surgery was dominant in BSI patients (45 %) and was a significant factor for developing BSI (p = 0.026). Wound contamination with B. cereus can easily occur due to the ubiquitous presence and the capacity to persist in gauze [1]. Wound contamination, perioperative use of antibiotics and medical devices may be associated with BSI development.…”

“…The reason why urinary catheter is related to the development of BSI seems uncertain. The presence of urinary catheter or some other medical devices may promote the acquisition and colonisation of B. cereus because B. cereus can adhere to artificial devices via biofilm formation [1].…”

“…Bacillus spores are widespread in soil, dust, water and the hospital environment [1]. B. cereus contamination of laundered linen was associated with nosocomial outbreaks of B. cereus infections [2][3][4].…”

“…B. cereus contamination of laundered linen was associated with nosocomial outbreaks of B. cereus infections [2][3][4]. In a clinical setting, B. cereus infection frequently occurs as emetic and diarrhoeal food poisoning [1]. B. cereus is an opportunistic pathogen because it sometimes causes fatal infection to immunosuppressed hospitalised patients [5].…”

“…We usually consider B. cereus as a contaminant when it is isolated from clinical specimens. However, B. cereus causes a number of systemic and local infections, including fulminant bacteraemia, central nervous system involvement (meningitis and brain abscesses), endophthalmitis, catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) and pneumonia [1,6]. Of these various infections, B. cereus bloodstream infection (BSI) seems to be the most severe condition.…”