BACILLUS CEREUS PATHOGENICITY: A REVIEW

Abstract

Pathogenic Bacillus cereus can be routinely isolated and identified in the laboratory from foods and other sources. Typing of B. cereus strains implicated in food poisoning outbreaks is helpful for confirmation of the origin of the outbreak and for epidemiological studies. Data concerning vegetative growth and spores are given. Different types of toxin are produced by B. cereus in the course of its growth: a so‐called diarrheal enterotoxin and an emetic heat‐stable toxin; their biochemical characteristics and the systems used for their detection are reviewed. Different types of hemolysins and phospholipases C are also produced and may play a role in pathogenicity. Nongastrointestinal infections were also traced to this species.

Bacillus cereus

“…24 Each vegetative cell is capable of producing one spore. 25 Use of separate utensils and containers for cooked and uncooked food may help prevent recontamination of cooked food, and food handlers must practice strict personal hygiene and receive proper food safety training. 2 Spores from B. cereus withstand high temperatures during cooking and pasteurization, allowing them to germinate as food cools.…”

FulminantBacillus cereusfood poisoning with fatal multi-organ failure

“…Bacterial food poisoning due to B. cereus is uncommon though well known1 2; however, it is rarely fatal in immunocompetent individuals. It usually results in a self-limited gastroenteritis, requiring supportive treatment 3–5 . B. cereus causes two distinct syndromes: emetic and diarrhoeal.…”

Effect of temperature on the vegetative growth of type and field strains of Bacillus cereus

“…Once heated, the evolution of the temperature in the food plays a critical role in this latter process (Gilbert et al 1974;Bryan et al 1981). Rich media, especially regarding their amino acid composition, have already been found to be suitable for growth and toxin production by B. cereus (Spira and Goepfert 1972;Glatz and Goepfert 1977;Thompson et al 1984;Kramer and Gilbert 1989;Fermanian et al 1993). Thus, this work was undertaken to evaluate the behaviour of potentially pathogenic type and field strains in a rich medium at different temperatures.…”