Pseudomembranous tracheobronchitis due to Bacillus cereus

Clin Infect Dis. 2001 Sep 1;33(5):E39-41. doi: 10.1086/322674. Epub 2001 Aug 6.

Abstract

We present a case of a rapidly progressive pseudomembranous tracheobronchitis and pneumonia in a 52-year-old woman with severe aplastic anemia. Bacillus cereus was isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage fluids, blood cultures, and pseudomembrane biopsy specimens; despite intensive antibiotic treatment, the patient's condition deteriorated rapidly. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a B. cereus infection that has caused pseudomembranous tracheobronchitis, possibly because of the production of bacterial toxins.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Bacillus cereus / isolation & purification*
  • Bacillus cereus / pathogenicity*
  • Bronchitis / drug therapy
  • Bronchitis / microbiology*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination / therapeutic use
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / drug therapy
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / microbiology*
  • Tracheitis / drug therapy
  • Tracheitis / microbiology*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents