Bacillus species pseudobacteremia traced to contaminated gloves used in collection of blood from patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Ten nonpathogenic Bacillus isolates were obtained from blood cultures collected over a 2-year period. Eight of these isolates were from patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, and seven were recovered from blood cultures obtained in outpatient clinics. Five cases occurred during a 5-month period. These five cases were clinically evaluated, and the Bacillus isolates were characterized. The same Bacillus species was isolated from nonsterile gloves from the same lot worn by phlebotomists for blood collection in the outpatient clinics during this period, implicating the gloves as the cause of this pseudoepidemic. Awareness of the nonsterile nature of gloves used by laboratory personnel should be considered in the evaluation of Bacillus spp. in blood cultures.