Dawson Patrick, Salzer Johanna S, Schrodt Caroline A, Feldmann Karl, Kolton Cari B, Gee Jay E, Marston Chung K, Gulvik Christopher A, Elrod Mindy G, Villarma Aaron, Traxler Rita M, Negrón María E, Hendricks Kate A, Moulton-Meissner Heather, Rose Laura J, Byers Paul, Taylor Kathryn, Ware Daphne, Balsamo Gary A, Sokol Theresa, Barrett Bret, Payne Erica, Zaheer Saad, Jung Ga On, Long Stephen, Quijano Ricardo, LeBouf Lindsey, O'Sullivan Briana, Swaney Erin, Antonini James M, de Perio Marie A, Weiner Zachary, Bower William A, Hoffmaster Alex R
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, CDC, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA.
Epidemic Intelligence Service, CDC, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA.
Pathogens. 2022 Jul 23;11(8):825. doi: 10.3390/pathogens11080825.
group bacteria containing the anthrax toxin genes can cause fatal anthrax pneumonia in welders. Two welder's anthrax cases identified in 2020 were investigated to determine the source of each patient's exposure. Environmental sampling was performed at locations where each patient had recent exposure to soil and dust. Samples were tested for the anthrax toxin genes by real-time PCR, and culture was performed on positive samples to identify whether any environmental isolates matched the patient's clinical isolate. A total of 185 environmental samples were collected in investigation A for patient A and 108 samples in investigation B for patient B. All samples from investigation B were real-time PCR-negative, but 14 (8%) samples from investigation A were positive, including 10 from patient A's worksite and 4 from his work-related clothing and gear. An isolate genetically matching the one recovered from patient A was successfully cultured from a worksite soil sample. All welder's anthrax cases should be investigated to determine the source of exposure, which may be linked to their worksite. Welding and metalworking employers should consider conducting a workplace hazard assessment and implementing controls to reduce the risk of occupationally associated illnesses including welder's anthrax.
携带炭疽毒素基因的一组细菌可导致焊工患致命的炭疽肺炎。对2020年确诊的两例焊工炭疽病例进行了调查，以确定每位患者的接触源。在每位患者近期接触过土壤和灰尘的地点进行了环境采样。通过实时聚合酶链反应对样本进行炭疽毒素基因检测，并对阳性样本进行培养，以确定是否有任何环境分离株与患者的临床分离株匹配。在调查A中为患者A总共采集了185份环境样本，在调查B中为患者B采集了108份样本。调查B的所有样本实时聚合酶链反应检测均为阴性，但调查A的14份（8%）样本呈阳性，其中10份来自患者A的工作场所，4份来自其工作相关的衣物和装备。从一份工作场所土壤样本中成功培养出了一株基因与从患者A身上分离出的菌株匹配的分离株。应对所有焊工炭疽病例进行调查，以确定接触源，接触源可能与其工作场所有关。焊接和金属加工雇主应考虑进行工作场所危害评估并实施控制措施，以降低包括焊工炭疽在内的职业相关疾病的风险。
