Epidemiologic investigation of two welder's anthrax cases caused by Bacillus cereus group bacteria: occupational link established by environmental detection.

Details

• Personal Author:
  Antonini JM ; Balsamo GA ; Barrett B ; Bower WA ; Byers P ; Dawson P ; De Perio, Marie A. ; Elrod MG ; Feldmann K ; Gee JE ; Gulvik CA ; Hendricks KA ; Hoffmaster AR ; Jung GO ; Kolton CB ; LeBouf L ; Long S ; Marston CK ; Moulton-Meissner H ; Negrón ME ; O'Sullivan B ; Payne E ; Quijano R ; Rose LJ ; Salzer JS ; Schrodt CA ; Sokol T ; Swaney E ; Taylor K ; Traxler RM ; Villarma A ; Ware D ; Weiner Z ; Zaheer S
• Description:
  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. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Communicable Diseases Dust Genetics Microbiology Occupational Health Respiratory Tract Diseases Safety Welding
• Keywords:
  Anthrax; Pneumonia; Welders; Bacterial Infections; Soil Bacteria; Dusts; Genes; Microorganisms; Case Reports; Infectious Agents; Infection Control; Author Keywords: Anthrax; Anthrax Toxin; Bacillus Cereus; Bacillus Tropicus; Welding
• ISSN:
  2076-0817
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Georgia ; Louisiana ; Mississippi ; Ohio ; OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 4 ; OSHA Region 5 ; OSHA Region 6 ; Texas ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DFSE - Division of Field Studies and Engineering ; OD - Office of the Director ; HELD - Health Effects Laboratory Division
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  11
• Issue:
  8
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20065803
• Citation:
  Pathogens 2022 Jul; 11(8):825
• Contact Point Address:
  Patrick Dawson, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, CDC, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
• Email:
  wpb7@cdc.gov
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2022
• NORA Priority Area:
  Services
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Source Full Name:
  Pathogens
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:7b4de6219fae8bef6f592d21f67e5b4fa74e60d1315be93959814d0f3039f70d617b917d1c57d2365d2ea7a59938aca68800174a4555409c6460f1e5ce9781d9
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/249553/cdc_249553_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.09 MB ]