We report a case of Bacillus subtilis variant natto bacteremia from a gastrointestinal perforation in a patient who ingested natto. Genotypic methods showed the bacteria in a blood sample and the ingested natto were the same strains. Older or immunocompromised patients could be at risk for bacteremia from ingesting natto.
Keywords: Bacillus subtilis; Japan; bacteremia; bacteria; enteric infections; food safety; gastrointestinal perforation; natto.