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.