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Updated: Jul 27, 2026

Identification of Fatty Acids in Bacillus cereus
Published on: December 5, 2016
Central nervous system infection by Bacillus cereus: a case report and literature review
M Rollán-Martínez Herrera1, P González-Urdiales1, A Zubizarreta-Zamalloa1
1Hospital Universitario de Cruces. Universidad del País Vasco, 48903 Baracaldo, España.
Introduction:
Bacillus cereus is a ubiquitous pathogen that usually produces self-limiting gastrointestinal symptoms. However, in susceptible patients, it can lead to central nervous system infections which are potentially fatal.
Development:
We present the case of a 10-year-old male under chemotherapy treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. During the induction period he developed a brain abscess due to B. cereus which was diagnosed through imaging tests and direct detection in the cerebrospinal fluid. His evolution was favorable with antibiotic treatment.
Conclusions:
So far, 26 other cases of central nervous system infections due to B. cereus have been described in literature, and besides being infrequent, they are a diagnostic challenge. However, in preterm infants, patients with hematological malignancies or central nervous system surgery, early suspicion should be established to start an appropriate antibiotic treatment and improve prognosis.
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