Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 18, 2026

Investigating the Alleviating Effects of Bacillus cereus Administration on Colitis through Gut Microbiota Modulation
08:34

Investigating the Alleviating Effects of Bacillus cereus Administration on Colitis through Gut Microbiota Modulation

Published on: July 27, 2022

A case series of Bacillus cereus septicemia in patients with hematological disease

Yoshihito Uchino1, Noriyoshi Iriyama, Ken Matsumoto

  • 1Department of Hematology and Rheumatology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi Hospital, Japan.

Internal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan)
|October 6, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Bacillus cereus septicemia in hematologic patients can be fatal. Early antibiotics, vancomycin, and quinolones are key, while clindamycin and imipenem may be ineffective. Central venous catheters are a common source.

Area of Science:

  • Hematology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Bacillus cereus (B. cereus) septicemia poses a life-threatening risk to patients with hematologic diseases.
  • Optimal treatment strategies remain elusive due to limited clinical data.

Observation:

  • A retrospective analysis of 13 B. cereus septicemia cases in 12 hematologic patients (2001-2010).
  • Antibiotic susceptibility of B. cereus strains was evaluated.
  • Central venous (CV) catheter cultures were performed in a subset of patients.

Findings:

  • Four out of 12 patients died. Fatal outcomes were associated with delayed antibiotic administration (>24 hours), liver dysfunction, and central nervous system (CNS) involvement.
  • All strains were susceptible to vancomycin and quinolones (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin).
  • High resistance rates were observed for clindamycin (76.9%) and imipenem (30.8%).
  • B. cereus frequently originated from CV catheters, with positive cultures in 3 of 7 analyzed.

Implications:

  • Carbapenems and clindamycin are likely inappropriate for treating B. cereus infections in this population.
  • Prompt administration of effective antibiotics like vancomycin or quinolones is crucial.
  • Vigilance in monitoring antibiotic susceptibility and meticulous CV catheter care are essential for managing B. cereus septicemia in hematologic patients.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Bacterial Gastroenteritis01:18

Bacterial Gastroenteritis

Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid receptor...
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
Investigation of Disease Outbreaks01:23

Investigation of Disease Outbreaks

Multistate foodborne outbreaks pose significant public health risks and require meticulous investigation to identify sources and implement control measures. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) utilizes a dynamic seven-step process for these investigations, integrating data from laboratories, interviews, and environmental assessments to protect public health.Outbreak Detection: The detection of multistate outbreaks typically begins with PulseNet, the CDC's national laboratory...
Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology01:26

Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology

Bacterial meningitis typically begins when pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae colonize the nasopharynx and invade the bloodstream. This process is facilitated by bacterial virulence factors, such as polysaccharide capsules, which resist phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing. Less commonly, bacteria reach the central nervous system via contiguous spread from infections like otitis media or sinusitis, through congenital or acquired dural defects, or...
Brain Abscess l: Introduction01:26

Brain Abscess l: Introduction

A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...