Characterization of Bacillus cereus isolates associated with fatal pneumonias: strains are closely related to Bacillus anthracis and harbor B. anthracis virulence genes. | LitMetric
Epidemiologic Investigations Laboratory, Meningitis and Special Pathogens Branch, MS G34, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA.
Published: September 2006
AI Article Synopsis
Article Abstract
Bacillus cereus is ubiquitous in nature, and while most isolates appear to be harmless, some are associated with food-borne illnesses, periodontal diseases, and other more serious infections. In one such infection, B. cereus G9241 was identified as the causative agent of a severe pneumonia in a Louisiana welder in 1994. This isolate was found to harbor most of the B. anthracis virulence plasmid pXO1 (13). Here we report the characterization of two clinical and one environmental B. cereus isolate collected during an investigation of two fatal pneumonia cases in Texas metal workers. Molecular subtyping revealed that the two cases were not caused by the same strain. However, one of the three isolates was indistinguishable from B. cereus G9241. PCR analysis demonstrated that both clinical isolates contained B. anthracis pXO1 toxin genes. One clinical isolate and the environmental isolate collected from that victim's worksite contained the cap A, B, and C genes required for capsule biosynthesis in B. anthracis. Both clinical isolates expressed a capsule; however, neither was composed of poly-D-glutamic acid. Although most B. cereus isolates are not opportunistic pathogens and only a limited number cause food-borne illnesses, these results demonstrate that some B. cereus strains can cause severe and even fatal infections in patients who appear to be otherwise healthy.
Bacillus cereus biovar anthracis (Bcbva) causes anthrax-like disease in animals, particularly in the non-human primates and great apes of West and Central Africa. Genomic analyses revealed Bcbva as a member of the B. cereus species that carries two plasmids, pBCXO1 and pBCXO2, which have high sequence homology to the B.
The fellowship, entitled 'Training in modern statistical methodologies and software tools for the definition and analysis of (stochastic) quantitative microbial risk assessment models with relevant food products for the Italian and Spanish food supply chains', was implemented at the Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (UPCT), Spain. Supervised by Dr. Alberto Garre and Prof.
This study investigates the biodegradation of methyl parathion, an organophosphate pesticide used in paddy fields. Microbial degradation transforms toxic pesticides into less harmful compounds, influenced by the microbial community in the soil. To isolate different microbial colonies, soil samples from an organophosphorus-treated groundnut field were plated on nutrient agar and MSM with 1% glucose and 0.
Few neonatal cases of soft tissue and osteoarticular infections with have been reported. We report a rare clinical presentation of necrotizing fasciitis of the foot caused by in a 17-day-old male neonate with hypoplastic left-sided heart syndrome. Fulminant progressive black skin necrosis was triggered by fresh frozen plasma leakage from the peripheral venous access.
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Laboratory of Protein Engineering and Bioactive Molecules (LR11ES24), INSAT, University of Carthage, BP 676, 1080, Tunis Cedex, Tunisia.
Cyanobacterial exopolysaccharides (EPS) remain released by cyanobacteria in the surrounding environment with the main purpose of protection against harmful environmental conditions. Recently, they have received significant attention due to their unique structural characteristics, functional properties, and potential applications across various fields. The current study describes the evaluation of EPS production under salinity stress from Arthrospira maxima.
