Pneumonia and empyema infection associated with a Bacillus species that resembles B. alvei

An organism resembling Bacillus alvei was isolated from the lung and pleural fluid of an immunocompetent patient. The isolate differed from the type strain of B. alvei in its ability to reduce nitrate and its inability to produce dihydroxyacetone and acetylmethylcarbinol. The isolate was resistant to ciprofloxacin and showed intermediate susceptibility to vancomycin.