Bacillus species

Hand contamination and hand hygiene knowledge and practices among commercial transport users after the SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19) scare, Enugu State, Nigeria

Contaminated hands are one of the most common modes of microorganism transmission that are responsible for many associated infections in healthcare, food industries, and public places such as transportation parks. Public health approaches during COVID-19 pandemic have shown that hand hygiene practices and associated knowledge are critical measure to control the spread of infectious agent. Hence, assessment of commercial transport users' knowledge, belief and practices on hand hygiene, and potential contamination with infectious agents which is the aim of the study, aligns with general health concern of quantifying contamination risk levels to predict disease outbreaks. This study utilized a randomized sampling approach to select 10 frequently used commercial parks within two districts in the State: Enugu and Nsukka. The parameters analysed include a cross-sectional questionnaire survey, hand swab and hand washed samples collected from dominant hand of participants. A total of 600 participants responded to the questionnaire survey, while 100 participants' hand swabs were examined for microbial contamination. This study recorded a high prevalence of fungal (90.0%) and bacterial (87.0%) species; 20 species of fungus were identified with prevalence range of 1% to 14%; 21 bacterial species were isolated with prevalence range of 1% to 16%. These species were identified as either opportunistic, non-invasive, or pathogenic, which may constitute a health concern amongst immunocompromised individuals within the population. Aspergillus spp. (14%), was the most common fungal species that was exclusively found amongst Nsukka commercial users, while E. coli was the most prevalent isolated bacterial species amongst Nsukka (12%) and Enugu (20%) commercial park users. Prevalence of fungal contamination in Nsukka (94.0%; 47/50) and Enugu (86.0%; 43/50) were both high. Prevalence of bacterial contamination was higher in Enugu than Nsukka but not significantly (47[94.0%] vs. 40[80.0%], p = 0.583). A greater number of participants (99.3%) were aware of the importance of hand hygiene, however with low compliance rate aside "after using the toilet" (80%) and "before eating" (90%), other relevant hand washing and sanitizing practices were considered less important. With these observations, we can emphatically say that despite the COVID-19 scare, commercial park users within the sampled population do not efficiently practice quality hand wash and hygiene measures, hence, risking the widespread of infectious agents in situation of disease outbreak or among immunocompromised individuals.

The Bacillus anthracis Cell Envelope: Composition, Physiological Role, and Clinical Relevance

Anthrax is a highly resilient and deadly disease caused by the spore-forming bacterial pathogen Bacillus anthracis. The bacterium presents a complex and dynamic composition of its cell envelope, which changes in response to developmental and environmental conditions and host-dependent signals. Because of their easy to access extracellular locations, B. anthracis cell envelope components represent interesting targets for the identification and development of novel therapeutic and vaccine strategies. This review will focus on the novel insights regarding the composition, physiological role, and clinical relevance of B. anthracis cell envelope components.

The Bacillus cereus Group: Bacillus Species with Pathogenic Potential

The Bacillus cereus group includes several Bacillus species with closely related phylogeny. The most well-studied members of the group, B. anthracis, B. cereus, and B. thuringiensis, are known for their pathogenic potential. Here, we present the historical rationale for speciation and discuss shared and unique features of these bacteria. Aspects of cell morphology and physiology, and genome sequence similarity and gene synteny support close evolutionary relationships for these three species. For many strains, distinct differences in virulence factor synthesis provide facile means for species assignment. B. anthracis is the causative agent of anthrax. Some B. cereus strains are commonly recognized as food poisoning agents, but strains can also cause localized wound and eye infections as well as systemic disease. Certain B. thuringiensis strains are entomopathogens and have been commercialized for use as biopesticides, while some strains have been reported to cause infection in immunocompromised individuals. In this article we compare and contrast B. anthracis, B. cereus, and B. thuringiensis, including ecology, cell structure and development, virulence attributes, gene regulation and genetic exchange systems, and experimental models of disease.

Anthrax: is there a risk of cross-infection during endoscopy?

Bacillus anthracis is a large, gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium responsible for human anthrax. Review of the medical literature indicates specific instrument reprocessing instructions addressing the prevention of B. anthracis transmission are limited. Although nosocomial anthrax infection has not been reported, strict adherence to well-established instrument reprocessing guidelines for cleaning and high-level disinfection is recommended to prevent patient-to-patient transmission of B. anthracis (or any other pathogen) via gastrointestinal endoscopes or bronchoscopes. All liquid chemical sterilants labeled for high-level disinfection of endoscopes would be expected to destroy B. anthracis. Additional instrument cleaning or disinfection procedures appear to be unnecessary. Reprocessing the endoscope immediately following the procedure is emphasized.

Bacillus-induced endophthalmitis: new series of 10 cases and review of the literature

We reviewed the charts of 10 patients who were admitted to the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary over a 10-year period with the diagnosis of Bacillus species endophthalmitis. To our knowledge this is the largest single series in the literature and includes the first two reported cases of Bacillus endophthalmitis following glaucoma filtering procedures. Seven cases developed following penetrating ocular trauma. One occurred in an intravenous drug abuser. Five eyes ultimately underwent enucleation; only the two eyes that developed endophthalmitis after elective surgery retained useful vision. Review of the literature indicates that parenteral and intravitreal antibiotic prophylaxis against endophthalmitis after penetrating ocular trauma should include gentamicin, in combination with vancomycin or clindamycin, to provide adequate coverage against infection with Bacillus spp., as prognosis is poor once infection is established. Bacillus spp. cultured from ocular tissues or fluids should not be dismissed as contaminants.