Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 13, 2026

Intravitreal Injection and Quantitation of Infection Parameters in a Mouse Model of Bacterial Endophthalmitis
07:24

Intravitreal Injection and Quantitation of Infection Parameters in a Mouse Model of Bacterial Endophthalmitis

Published on: February 6, 2021

Bacillus cereus fasciitis: a unique pathogen and clinically challenging sequela of inoculation

Andrew Rosenbaum1, Dean Papaliodis, Maxwell Alley

  • 1Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY 12206, USA. andrewjrosenbaum@gmail.com

American Journal of Orthopedics (Belle Mead, N.J.)
|February 23, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Bacillus cereus can cause severe soft-tissue infections, not just food poisoning. This case highlights the need to consider this bacterium in diagnosing serious infections like gas gangrene.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Case Reports

Background:

  • Bacillus cereus is an aerobic, spore-forming, gram-positive bacterium.
  • Historically linked to foodborne illness, known as "fried rice syndrome."
  • Typically causes diarrheal and emetic illness after consuming contaminated food left at room temperature.

Observation:

  • A case report of a 9-year-old boy with a severe soft-tissue infection.
  • The infection occurred in the right lower extremity.
  • The patient was impaled on a tree branch prior to infection onset.

Findings:

  • Culture-positive Bacillus cereus fasciitis was diagnosed.
  • Demonstrates B. cereus as a causative agent of severe soft-tissue infections.
  • The case emphasizes the bacterium's potential beyond gastrointestinal illness.

Implications:

  • Highlights the importance of recognizing B. cereus in severe soft-tissue infections.
  • Recommends including B. cereus in the differential diagnosis for gas gangrene and necrotizing fasciitis.
  • Underscores the need for broader clinical awareness of Bacillus cereus pathogenicity.

More Related Videos

The Insect Galleria mellonella as a Powerful Infection Model to Investigate Bacterial Pathogenesis13:00

The Insect Galleria mellonella as a Powerful Infection Model to Investigate Bacterial Pathogenesis

Published on: December 11, 2012

Related Concept Videos

Staphylococcal Skin Infections01:29

Staphylococcal Skin Infections

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive coccus that resides harmlessly on the skin and mucous membranes of healthy individuals. When the skin barrier is breached, it can shift from a commensal to an opportunistic pathogen. This transition is facilitated by surface adhesins, such as clumping factor B and S. aureus surface protein G (SasG), which bind to structural proteins, including loricrin and cytokeratin, in the damaged epidermis. Protein A, another key factor, binds the Fc region of...
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,...
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...
Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic01:26

Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) occur in a healthcare facility while a person receives care for another ailment. This category also includes work-related infections among healthcare staff.
HAIs significantly increase the cost of health care. Extended stays in healthcare institutions, increased disability, increased costs of medications, including specialized antibiotics, and prolonged recovery times add to the patient's expenses and the healthcare institution and funding bodies. Common...
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...