Fatal Bacillus cereus sepsis following resolving neutropenic enterocolitis during the treatment of acute leukemia

Bacillus cereus is increasingly being acknowledged as a serious bacterial pathogen in immunosuppressed hosts. We report a case of fatal B. cereus sepsis in a patient with newly diagnosed acute leukemia following resolving neutropenic enterocolitis. Gastrointestinal complaints are common during induction chemotherapy, yet some antimicrobial coverage suitable for generalized neutropenia is not optimal for the eradication of B. cereus. This case demonstrates that, in the neutropenic patient with gastrointestinal complaints or in the setting of resolving neutropenic enterocolitis, it is important to anticipate possible B. cereus infection and sepsis. (C) 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.