CHARACTERIZATION OF BACILLUS-THURINGIENSIS ISOLATED FROM INFECTIONS IN BURN WOUNDS

Four strains of Bacillus thuringiensis were isolated from infections i n burn wounds and from water used in the treatment of burn wounds. The strains produced large parasporal inclusion bodies composed of 141, 8 3, and 81 kDa protoxins. The four strains were tested for insecticidal activity against larvae of Pieris brassicae and At!des aegypti but sh owed no activity; Vero cell assays for the production of enterotoxins were also negative. Attempts to classify the strains according to flag ellar H-serotype showed them all to be non-flagellated. Apart from two occupational health accidents that occurred during the handling of hi ghly concentrated B. thuringiensis fluids, this is the first report of B. thuringiensis causing non-gastrointestinal clinical infection in i mmunosuppressed patients.