Natto intake is a risk factor of Bacillus subtilis bacteremia among children undergoing chemotherapy for childhood cancer: A case-control study

Bacillus subtilis Bacteremia from Gastrointestinal Perforation after Natto Ingestion, Japan

“…In conclusion, we report a case of B. subtilis bacteremia and secondary peritonitis resulting from gastrointestinal perforation in a patient who ingested natto. Our case and others in the literature indicate that older or immunocompromised patients who consume natto are at risk for serious infection from natto ( 4 , 6 ). Clinicians should advise patients in these risk groups to avoid eating natto or food products containing B. subtilis bacteria.…”

“…Moreover, those isolates were the same as isolates from natto brand C (Figure ), suggesting that the blood and pus culture isolates were (8). The most common known portal of entry for B. subtilis bacteria is the gastrointestinal tract, but often the site of entry is unknown, and bacteremia that has a gastrointestinal tract source is presumed to be related to natto ingestion (3)(4)(5)(6). However, B. subtilis var.…”

A rare case of Bacillus subtilis variant natto-induced persistent bacteremia with liver and splenic abscesses in an immunocompetent patient

“…Since the bacteria enters the gastrointestinal tract via oral route, it is likely that gastrointestinal lesions were the source of bacteremia. B. subtilis bacteremia in patients in Japan has been associated with a history of recent natto inoculation [8] , suggesting that some of the B. subtilis bacteremia cases reported in Japan may have been caused by natto bacteremia. Although it was not mentioned whether it was B. subtilis var.…”

“…Unlike B. cereus , B. subtilis detected in Japan shows good penicillin susceptibility [8] , [9] , [10] . However, B. subtilis detected in Iraq showed relatively poor susceptibility to penicillin [11] .…”