Serious infections from Bacillus sp
C. U. Tuazon, H. W. Murray, C. Levy, M. N. Solny, J. A. Curtin and J. N. Sheagren
Serious infections caused by organisms of the genus Bacillus developed in
seven patients. Five drug abusers had either endocarditis or osteomyelitis,
one leukemic patient had necrotizing fasciitis, and one patient had a
ventriculoatrial shunt infection with recurrent bacteremia. All patients
recovered. Experience with these cases reemphasizes the importance of not
dismissing Bacillus organisms as culture contaminants, especially when
isolated from blood, body fluids, or closed-space infections.
