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Paenibacillus larvae Bacteremia in injection drug users

Siegbert Rieg1, Tilman Martin Bauer, Gabriele Peyerl-Hoffmann

  • 1University Hospital, Freiburg, Germany. siegbert.rieg@uniklinik-freiburg.de

Emerging Infectious Diseases
|March 6, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Paenibacillus larvae, a bacterium causing American foulbrood in bees, was found in five injection drug users. These individuals contracted bacteremia after injecting methadone contaminated with P. larvae spores.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Paenibacillus larvae is the causative agent of American foulbrood, a devastating honey bee disease.
  • Honey bee products, such as honey, can potentially harbor bacterial spores.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report cases of P. larvae bacteremia in humans.
  • To highlight a potential, underrecognized route of transmission for P. larvae spores.

Main Methods:

  • Case series describing five individuals with P. larvae bacteremia.
  • Analysis of self-prepared methadone injections for the presence of P. larvae spores.

Main Results:

  • Five injection drug users presented with P. larvae bacteremia.
  • The methadone preparations used by these individuals were confirmed to contain P. larvae spores.

Conclusions:

  • Self-injection of honey-prepared methadone can lead to P. larvae bacteremia in humans.
  • Awareness of this transmission route is limited among healthcare professionals and drug users.

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