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Keywords = welder’s anthrax

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24 pages, 3269 KiB  
Article
Strains Associated with Two 2020 Welder Anthrax Cases in the United States Belong to Separate Lineages within Bacillus cereus sensu lato
by Laura M. Carroll, Chung K. Marston, Cari B. Kolton, Christopher A. Gulvik, Jay E. Gee, Zachary P. Weiner and Jasna Kovac
Pathogens 2022, 11(8), 856; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11080856 - 29 Jul 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 5496
Abstract
Anthrax-causing members of Bacillus cereus sensu lato (s.l.) pose a serious threat to public health. While most anthrax-causing strains resemble B. anthracis phenotypically, rare cases of anthrax-like illness caused by strains resembling “B. cereus” have been reported. Here, whole-genome [...] Read more.
Anthrax-causing members of Bacillus cereus sensu lato (s.l.) pose a serious threat to public health. While most anthrax-causing strains resemble B. anthracis phenotypically, rare cases of anthrax-like illness caused by strains resembling “B. cereus” have been reported. Here, whole-genome sequencing was used to characterize three B. cereus s.l. isolates associated with two 2020 welder anthrax cases in the United States, which resembled “B. cereus” phenotypically. Comparison of the three genomes sequenced here to all publicly available, high-quality B. cereus s.l. genomes (n = 2890 total genomes) demonstrated that genomes associated with each case effectively belonged to separate species at the conventional 95% average nucleotide identity prokaryotic species threshold. Two PubMLST sequence type 78 (ST78) genomes affiliated with a case in Louisiana were most closely related to B. tropicus and possessed genes encoding the Bps exopolysaccharide capsule, as well as hemolysin BL (Hbl) and cytotoxin K (CytK). Comparatively, a ST108 genome associated with a case in Texas was most closely related to B. anthracis; however, like other anthrax-causing strains most closely related to B. anthracis, this genome did not possess Bps-, Hbl-, or CytK-encoding genes. Overall, results presented here provide insights into the evolution of anthrax-causing B. cereus s.l. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anthrax—a Threat beyond Bacillus anthracis)
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15 pages, 1075 KiB  
Article
Epidemiologic Investigation of Two Welder’s Anthrax Cases Caused by Bacillus cereus Group Bacteria: Occupational Link Established by Environmental Detection
by Patrick Dawson, Johanna S. Salzer, Caroline A. Schrodt, Karl Feldmann, Cari B. Kolton, Jay E. Gee, Chung K. Marston, Christopher A. Gulvik, Mindy G. Elrod, Aaron Villarma, Rita M. Traxler, María E. Negrón, Kate A. Hendricks, Heather Moulton-Meissner, Laura J. Rose, Paul Byers, Kathryn Taylor, Daphne Ware, Gary A. Balsamo, Theresa Sokol, Bret Barrett, Erica Payne, Saad Zaheer, Ga On Jung, Stephen Long, Ricardo Quijano, Lindsey LeBouf, Briana O’Sullivan, Erin Swaney, James M. Antonini, Marie A. de Perio, Zachary Weiner, William A. Bower and Alex R. Hoffmasteradd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Pathogens 2022, 11(8), 825; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11080825 - 23 Jul 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3816
Abstract
Bacillus cereus group bacteria containing the anthrax toxin genes can cause fatal anthrax pneumonia in welders. Two welder’s anthrax cases identified in 2020 were investigated to determine the source of each patient’s exposure. Environmental sampling was performed at locations where each patient had [...] Read more.
Bacillus cereus group bacteria containing the anthrax toxin genes can cause fatal anthrax pneumonia in welders. Two welder’s anthrax cases identified in 2020 were investigated to determine the source of each patient’s exposure. Environmental sampling was performed at locations where each patient had recent exposure to soil and dust. Samples were tested for the anthrax toxin genes by real-time PCR, and culture was performed on positive samples to identify whether any environmental isolates matched the patient’s clinical isolate. A total of 185 environmental samples were collected in investigation A for patient A and 108 samples in investigation B for patient B. All samples from investigation B were real-time PCR-negative, but 14 (8%) samples from investigation A were positive, including 10 from patient A’s worksite and 4 from his work-related clothing and gear. An isolate genetically matching the one recovered from patient A was successfully cultured from a worksite soil sample. All welder’s anthrax cases should be investigated to determine the source of exposure, which may be linked to their worksite. Welding and metalworking employers should consider conducting a workplace hazard assessment and implementing controls to reduce the risk of occupationally associated illnesses including welder’s anthrax. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anthrax—a Threat beyond Bacillus anthracis)
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12 pages, 1531 KiB  
Article
Ecological Niche Model of Bacillus cereus Group Isolates Containing a Homologue of the pXO1 Anthrax Toxin Genes Infecting Metalworkers in the United States
by Mark A. Deka, Chung K. Marston, Julia Garcia-Diaz, Rahsaan Drumgoole and Rita M. Traxler
Pathogens 2022, 11(4), 470; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11040470 - 14 Apr 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4958
Abstract
While Bacillus cereus typically causes opportunistic infections in humans, within the last three decades, severe and fatal infections caused by isolates of the B. cereus group harboring anthrax toxin genes have been reported in the United States. From 1994 to 2020, seven cases [...] Read more.
While Bacillus cereus typically causes opportunistic infections in humans, within the last three decades, severe and fatal infections caused by isolates of the B. cereus group harboring anthrax toxin genes have been reported in the United States. From 1994 to 2020, seven cases of anthrax-like illness resulting from these isolates have been identified. With one exception, the cases have occurred in the Gulf States region of the United States among metalworkers. We aimed to develop an ecological niche model (ENM) to estimate a spatial area conducive to the survival of these organisms based on the presence of known human infections and environmental variables. The estimated ecological niche for B. cereus was modeled with the maximum entropy algorithm (Maxent). Environmental variables contributing most to the model were soil characteristics (cation exchange capacity, carbon content, soil pH), temperature, enhanced vegetation index (EVI), and land surface temperature (LST). Much of the suitable environments were located throughout the Gulf Coast Plain, Texas Backland Prairies, East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Cross Timbers, Mississippi Alluvial Plain, and Central Great Plains. These findings may provide additional guidance to narrow potential risk areas to efficiently communicate messages to metalworkers and potentially identify individuals who may benefit from the anthrax vaccine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anthrax—a Threat beyond Bacillus anthracis)
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14 pages, 550 KiB  
Review
Welder’s Anthrax: A Review of an Occupational Disease
by Marie A. de Perio, Katherine A. Hendricks, Chad H. Dowell, William A. Bower, Nancy C. Burton, Patrick Dawson, Caroline A. Schrodt, Johanna S. Salzer, Chung K. Marston, Karl Feldmann, Alex R. Hoffmaster and James M. Antonini
Pathogens 2022, 11(4), 402; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11040402 - 26 Mar 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 12831
Abstract
Since 1997, nine cases of severe pneumonia, caused by species within the B. cereus group and with a presentation similar to that of inhalation anthrax, were reported in seemingly immunocompetent metalworkers, with most being welders. In seven of the cases, isolates were found [...] Read more.
Since 1997, nine cases of severe pneumonia, caused by species within the B. cereus group and with a presentation similar to that of inhalation anthrax, were reported in seemingly immunocompetent metalworkers, with most being welders. In seven of the cases, isolates were found to harbor a plasmid similar to the B. anthracis pXO1 that encodes anthrax toxins. In this paper, we review the literature on the B. cereus group spp. pneumonia among welders and other metalworkers, which we term welder’s anthrax. We describe the epidemiology, including more information on two cases of welder’s anthrax in 2020. We also describe the health risks associated with welding, potential mechanisms of infection and pathological damage, prevention measures according to the hierarchy of controls, and clinical and public health considerations. Considering occupational risk factors and controlling exposure to welding fumes and gases among workers, according to the hierarchy of controls, should help prevent disease transmission in the workplace. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anthrax—a Threat beyond Bacillus anthracis)
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