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Review
. 2022 Mar 26;11(4):402.
doi: 10.3390/pathogens11040402.

Welder's Anthrax: A Review of an Occupational Disease

Marie A de Perio  1 , Katherine A Hendricks  2 , Chad H Dowell  3 , William A Bower  2 , Nancy C Burton  4 , Patrick Dawson  5 , Caroline A Schrodt  6 , Johanna S Salzer  7 , Chung K Marston  2 , Karl Feldmann  4 , Alex R Hoffmaster  2 , James M Antonini  8
Affiliations
Review

Welder's Anthrax: A Review of an Occupational Disease

Marie A de Perio et al. Pathogens. .

Abstract

Since 1997, nine cases of severe pneumonia, caused by species within the B. cereus group and with a presentation similar to that of inhalation anthrax, were reported in seemingly immunocompetent metalworkers, with most being welders. In seven of the cases, isolates were found to harbor a plasmid similar to the B. anthracis pXO1 that encodes anthrax toxins. In this paper, we review the literature on the B. cereus group spp. pneumonia among welders and other metalworkers, which we term welder's anthrax. We describe the epidemiology, including more information on two cases of welder's anthrax in 2020. We also describe the health risks associated with welding, potential mechanisms of infection and pathological damage, prevention measures according to the hierarchy of controls, and clinical and public health considerations. Considering occupational risk factors and controlling exposure to welding fumes and gases among workers, according to the hierarchy of controls, should help prevent disease transmission in the workplace.

Keywords: Bacillus; welder; welder’s anthrax.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The hierarchy of controls for controlling exposures to occupational hazards. This framework is presented with the methods at the top of graphic as being more effective and protective than those at the bottom. Source: NIOSH.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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