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Welder's Anthrax: A Review of an Occupational Disease

Marie A de Perio1, Katherine A Hendricks2, Chad H Dowell3

  • 1Office of the Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA.

Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)
|April 23, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Severe pneumonia, termed welder's anthrax, affects immunocompetent metalworkers. This review details cases, risks, and prevention strategies for this occupational lung disease.

Area of Science:

  • Occupational Health
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Since 1997, nine cases of severe pneumonia resembling inhalation anthrax have been reported in immunocompetent metalworkers, primarily welders.
  • Seven cases involved bacterial isolates harboring a plasmid similar to Bacillus anthracis pXO1, which encodes anthrax toxins.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the literature on Bacillus cereus group spp. pneumonia in welders and metalworkers, termed welder's anthrax.
  • To describe the epidemiology, health risks, and prevention of this occupational disease.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of Bacillus cereus group spp. pneumonia in metalworkers.
  • Epidemiological analysis of reported cases, including two from 2020.
  • Assessment of welding-related health risks and infection mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • Nine cases of welder's anthrax reported since 1997, predominantly in welders.
  • Presence of a pXO1-like plasmid encoding anthrax toxins in seven isolates.
  • Detailed description of two recent cases and associated clinical findings.

Conclusions:

  • Welder's anthrax is an occupational pneumonia linked to Bacillus cereus group bacteria in metalworkers.
  • Controlling exposure to welding fumes and gases via the hierarchy of controls is crucial for prevention.
  • Understanding occupational risk factors and implementing safety measures can prevent disease transmission.
Keywords:
Bacilluswelderwelder’s anthrax

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