Bacillus and relatives in foodborne illness

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Food Safety
• Bacteriology

Background:

• Species within the Bacillus genus and related genera are significant concerns for food producers due to their resilient endospores.
• Recent decades have seen substantial taxonomic revisions, increasing the number of recognized genera and species.
• Despite taxonomic growth, the emergence of novel infectious species linked to food or significant new foodborne pathogens remains limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current understanding of Bacillus species in food safety.
• To highlight advancements in knowledge regarding toxins produced by established Bacillus species.
• To discuss the implications of Bacillus species in food-associated illnesses and probiotic applications.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of existing research on Bacillus taxonomy, pathogenicity, and toxicology.
• Analysis of reported cases of foodborne illness and food-associated infections attributed to Bacillus species.
• Evaluation of the evolving role of Bacillus species in food production and health.

Main Results:

• The taxonomy of Bacillus and related genera has expanded significantly, now encompassing 56 genera and over 545 species.
• Bacillus cereus is a well-established cause of food poisoning, with enhanced understanding of its toxins and mechanisms.
• While other species like B. licheniformis, B. subtilis, and B. pumilus are occasionally linked to foodborne illness, their roles are becoming clearer due to improved toxin knowledge, though the rarity of reported cases persists.
• The use of aerobic endospore-formers as probiotics presents new considerations regarding potential pathogenicity and antibiotic resistance.

Conclusions:

• Knowledge of established Bacillus species, particularly Bacillus cereus, and their toxins has advanced considerably, improving our understanding of food poisoning.
• The significance of certain Bacillus species in food-associated illnesses is better understood, although the low incidence of reported cases remains an area for further investigation.
• The increasing use of aerobic endospore-formers as probiotics necessitates careful consideration of their potential risks, including pathogenicity and antibiotic resistance transfer.