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Bacterial Species Diversity in Cigarettes Linked to an Investigation of Severe Pneumonitis in U.S. Military Personnel Deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom

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Abstract

This report presents results from a study on the bacterial diversity of cigarette brands collected from military personnel during the U.S. Army’s investigation of a series of cases of acute eosinophilic pneumonitis in military personnel deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Eight species of Bacillus, including five new species, and one new species of Kurthia were isolated from the cigarettes. Some of these species have been identified elsewhere as causes of hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other respiratory syndromes. All of the isolates were facultative anaerobes, and many displayed mucoid growth under anaerobic conditions. In addition, many isolates also displayed the ability to form surface biofilms under liquid culture. Although biofilm formation and mucoid growth were not correlated, the former was found to be much more pronounced under anaerobic conditions as opposed to aerobic ones. The implications of these findings are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

We thank members of the USACHPPM investigation team for their contributions, especially J. Heller, R. Bowlus, and the field preventive medicine staff who collected the samples. We are grateful to H. Kline of the USDA-ARS for providing technical laboratory assistance and an anonymous reviewer for helpful comments. The mention of firm names or trade products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture over other firms or similar products not mentioned. The opinions or assertions contained in this report are the views of the authors and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the views of the U.S. Army, U.S. Department of Agriculture, or the U.S. Department of Defense.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Microbial Genomics and Bioprocessing Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Peoria, IL, 61604, USA

    Alejandro P. Rooney & James L. Swezey

  2. Mycotoxins Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Peoria, IL, 61604, USA

    Donald T. Wicklow

  3. U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventative Medicine, , Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, 21010-5403, USA

    Matthew J. McAtee

Authors
  1. Alejandro P. Rooney
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  2. James L. Swezey
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  3. Donald T. Wicklow
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  4. Matthew J. McAtee
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Correspondence to Alejandro P. Rooney.

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Rooney, A.P., Swezey, J.L., Wicklow, D.T. et al. Bacterial Species Diversity in Cigarettes Linked to an Investigation of Severe Pneumonitis in U.S. Military Personnel Deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Curr Microbiol 51, 46–52 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-005-4491-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-005-4491-z

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