Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 20, 2025
05:55
Induction of Leptomeningeal Cells Modification Via Intracisternal Injection
Published on: May 7, 2020
8.3K
Bacterial Meningitis Caused by Bacillus subtilis var. natto
Mieko Tokano1,2, Norihito Tarumoto1, Kazuo Imai1
1Department of Infectious Disease and Infection Control, Saitama Medical University, Japan.
Internal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan)
|November 23, 2022
Summary
A rare Bacillus subtilis infection, potentially linked to daily natto consumption, occurred in a woman. She recovered after vancomycin treatment for the Bacillus subtilis var. natto bacteria.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Bacterial Pathogenesis
Background:
- Bacillus subtilis is a common soil bacterium, generally considered non-pathogenic.
- Certain fermented foods, like natto, contain specific strains of Bacillus subtilis.
- Infections caused by Bacillus subtilis are uncommon, particularly in immunocompetent individuals.
Observation:
- A 67-year-old woman presented with fever, headache, and altered consciousness.
- Bacillus subtilis was isolated from her cerebrospinal fluid and blood, indicating a serious infection.
- The patient reported daily consumption of natto.
Findings:
- Next-generation sequencing identified the infecting strain as Bacillus subtilis var. natto.
- This specific strain is the same type commonly found in natto.
- The patient was successfully treated with vancomycin.
Implications:
- This case suggests a potential link between Bacillus subtilis var. natto in natto and invasive infections.
- It highlights the importance of considering foodborne sources for rare bacterial infections.
- Further research may be needed to understand the pathogenicity of specific Bacillus subtilis strains and associated food products.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Bacterial Phylum Proteobacteria
94
Proteobacteria, one of the largest and most diverse bacterial phyla, encompasses a wide range of Gram-negative bacteria distinguished by their outer membrane composed of lipopolysaccharides. These microorganisms exhibit various metabolic capabilities, including phototrophy, chemolithotrophy, and heterotrophy, and thrive in diverse environments from soil to aquatic systems and host-associated niches. The phylum is divided into six classes: Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria,...
94
01:30Bacterial Phylum Actinobacteria
82
Coryneform bacteria are gram-positive, aerobic, nonmotile rods that exhibit irregular, club-shaped, or V-shaped arrangements. Their V-shape results from snapping division, where the inner cell wall layer forms the cross-wall, while the outer layer remains intact until it ruptures on one side, causing the daughter cells to bend away.The primary genera are Corynebacterium and Arthrobacter. Corynebacterium includes diverse species, ranging from saprophytes to pathogens like Corynebacterium...
82
01:30Bacterial Phylum Spirochaetes
75
Spirochetes, unique bacteria in the phylum Spirochaetes, are gram-negative, motile, tightly coiled, slender, and flexible. They inhabit aquatic sediments and animals, with some causing diseases like syphilis. Spirochetes are classified into eight genera based on habitat, pathogenicity, phylogeny, and characteristics.Their distinctive motility arises from endoflagella, located within the cell’s periplasm. These endoflagella anchor at the cell poles and extend along the cell length, encased...
75
01:27Bacterial Phylum Firmicutes
96
Firmicutes is a diverse phylum of Gram-positive bacteria characterized by a low GC content in their genomes. This phylum includes organisms with monoderm or diderm cell envelopes, highlighting a complex evolutionary history. Firmicutes comprises several major orders, including Lactobacillales, Clostridiales, and Bacillales, which exhibit remarkable diversity in their morphology, metabolism, and ecological roles.The order Lactobacillales includes lactic acid bacteria, which are fermentative...
96
01:20Receptor-mediated Endocytosis
6.2K
Receptor-mediated endocytosis is when bulk amounts of specific molecules are imported into a cell after binding to cell surface receptors. The molecules bound to these receptors are taken into the cell through inward folding of the cell surface membrane, which is eventually pinched off into a vesicle within the cell. Structural proteins, such as clathrin, coat the budding vesicle.
Clathrin-Mediated Endocytosis of LDL
One well-characterized example of receptor-mediated endocytosis is the...
Clathrin-Mediated Endocytosis of LDL
One well-characterized example of receptor-mediated endocytosis is the...
6.2K
01:31Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens
1.5K
The human immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against bacterial infections. It consists of various immune cells, each playing a specific role in the defense mechanism.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
1.5K