Fatal pneumonia among metalworkers due to inhalation exposure to Bacillus cereus containing Bacillus anthracis toxin genes

Abstract

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. © 2006 by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved.