There are several reports in
the literature of human infections with B. licheniformis,
however, these occurred in immunosuppressed individuals or
following trauma. There are no indications that B. licheniformis
is pathogenic to plants. However, there are numerous reports in
the literature of an association between B. licheniformis and
abortions in livestock. In most reports, there were predisposing
factors which may have resulted in immunosuppression of the
affected animals. Since B. licheniformis is ubiquitous in the
environment and appears to be an opportunistic pathogen in
compromised hosts, the potential risk associated with the use of
this bacterium in fermentation facilities is low.