Welder's Anthrax Treated with Obiltoxaximab — Louisiana, 2024

Details

• Personal Author:
  Thompson, Julie M. ; Lundstrom, Eric W. ; Hein, Lindsay D. ; Beesley, Cari A. ; Marston, Chung K. ; Zaayenga, Rebecca ; Gulvik, Christopher A. ; Paisie, Taylor K. ; Hand, Julie ; Dowell, Chad H. ; Feldmann, Karl ; Blackburn, Dawn ; Schrodt, Caroline A. ; Bower, William A. ; DeBord, Katherine M. ; Richardson, Brian T. Jr. ; Haydel, Danielle ; Haynes, Latira ; Yu, Patricia A. ; Yu, Yon C. ; Cocco, Abigail ; Bell-Do, Maren ; Bacon, Michael ; Antonini, James M. ; Burton, Nancy C. ; Weiner, Zachary P. ; Hoffmaster, Alex R. ; de Perio, Marie A. ; Cossaboom, Caitlin M. ; Sokol, Theresa
• Description:
  What is already known about this topic? Welder's anthrax is a serious respiratory illness caused by infection with anthrax toxin-producing Bacillus cereus group bacteria. Eight previous cases (six fatal) have been reported among welders or metalworkers from Louisiana and Texas. What is added by this report? In September 2024, welder's anthrax was identified in a young, previously healthy welding apprentice in Louisiana. The patient was treated with the antitoxin obiltoxaximab, antimicrobials, and drainage of a pleural effusion, and he survived. What are the implications for public health practice? Welder's anthrax should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pneumonia among welders or metalworkers in the southern United States. Obiltoxaximab may be used as an adjunct to antimicrobial therapy for patients with suspected welder's anthrax. Safe work practices could help protect workers from exposure to harmful metal fumes that might predispose welders to welder's anthrax.
• Subjects:
  Anthrax Occupational Health Safety Welding
• Keywords:
  Welders; Anthrax; Bacterial infections; Respiratory infections; Metal workers; Pneumonia
• Series:
  Mining Publications
• ISSN:
  0149-2195
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Georgia ; Ohio ; Louisiana ; West Virginia ; Atlanta Region [OSHA] ; Birmingham Region [OSHA] ; Chicago Region [OSHA] ; Philadelphia Region [OSHA]
• CIO:
  Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) ; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DFSE - Division of Field Studies and Engineering ; EPRO - Emergency Preparedness and Response Office ; HELD - Health Effects Laboratory Division ; OD - Office of the Director
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  7 pdf pages
• Volume:
  74
• Issue:
  42
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20071111
• Citation:
  MMWR 2026 Jan; 74(42):641-647
• Email:
  bzb@cdc.gov
• CAS Registry Number:
  Obiltoxaximab (CAS RN 1351337-07-9)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2026
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:71e35a9066a3734b4f952e64113887d2961d87f88350521ccbe2fdf43f26604bd561f2160ef7af49bd2ae29319d93f2a9f6bb6d08d834ddf49e3ee7278aae804
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/257887/cdc_257887_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 367.93 KB ]