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Cutaneous infection due to Bacillus pumilus: report of 3 cases

Daniel Tena1, Juan Angel Martinez-Torres, María Teresa Perez-Pomata

  • 1Section of Microbiology, University Hospital of Guadalajara, Calle Donante de Sangre S/N, 19002 Guadalajara, Spain. danielt@sescam.jccm.es

Clinical Infectious Diseases : an Official Publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
|January 24, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Human Bacillus pumilus infections are rare. This study details three cases of skin infections resembling cutaneous anthrax in shepherds, highlighting B. pumilus as a potential pathogen in similar presentations.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Dermatology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Bacillus pumilus (B. pumilus) is a Gram-positive bacterium rarely associated with human infections.
  • Cutaneous anthrax, caused by Bacillus anthracis, presents with characteristic skin lesions.

Observation:

  • Three shepherds presented with skin lesions morphologically similar to cutaneous anthrax.
  • Two of the affected individuals were family members, suggesting potential environmental or close-contact transmission.
  • The lesions were attributed to Bacillus pumilus infection.

Findings:

  • Two patients achieved clinical resolution with amoxicillin-clavulanate treatment.
  • One patient required prolonged ciprofloxacin therapy for successful treatment.
  • This represents, to our knowledge, the first reported series of primary cutaneous B. pumilus infections.

Implications:

  • B. pumilus should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cutaneous lesions mimicking anthrax.
  • Prompt and appropriate antibiotic therapy is crucial for managing B. pumilus skin infections.
  • Further research into B. pumilus pathogenesis and epidemiology in humans is warranted.

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