Detection of enterotoxic Bacillus cereus producing hemolytic and non hemolytic enterotoxins by PCR test

Nine strains belonging to Bacillus cereus group has been isolated from food and environmental samples. Their taxonomic position was confirmed by RFLP analysis of 16S rRNA gene digested with TaqI. The detection of DNA sequences encoding the hemolysin BL complex and enterotoxin NHE, was studied in Bacillus sp. isolates. Set of primers was used to amplify fragment of hblD gene by PCR. For the detection of nheB gene a new primer set was developed which allowed to amplify 273 bp fragment from wide number of strains belonging to B. cereus group. The hblD gene was present in 7 out of 9 isolates whereas nheB gene occurred in all of them. Reference strains of B. cereus LOCK 0807, and B. thuringiensis NCAIM 01262 contained both genes. Strains of B. subtilis ATCC 6633 and B. pumilus LOCK 0814 do not contain both genes. Obtained results showed that B. thuringiensis NCAIM 01262 contains both genes and therefore may be harmful for human beings.