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Evidence for a further enterotoxin complex produced by Bacillus cereus
P E Granum1, A Andersson, C Gayther
1Department of Pharmacology, Microbiology and Food Hygiene, Norwegian College of Veterinary Medicine, Oslo, Norway. per.e.granum@veths.no
FEMS Microbiology Letters
|August 1, 1996
Summary
Most Bacillus cereus strains produce cytotoxins, but not all possess the haemolysin BL enterotoxin genes. This suggests additional enterotoxin complexes contribute to Bacillus cereus pathogenicity.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Food Safety
- Bacterial Pathogenesis
Background:
- Bacillus cereus is a significant foodborne pathogen.
- Cytotoxin production is a key virulence factor in B. cereus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of cytotoxin production in B. cereus strains.
- To identify the enterotoxin profiles of B. cereus strains, including haemolysin BL (HBL).
Main Methods:
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect the B-component gene of HBL.
- Western blots were employed to detect enterotoxins using specific antiserum.
Main Results:
- 74% of 321 B. cereus strains produced cytotoxins.
- Only 53% of cytotoxic strains were positive for the HBL B-component gene by PCR.
- Western blots indicated enterotoxin production in 83% of cytotoxic strains.
- Analysis of food poisoning strains revealed variations in HBL component presence.
Conclusions:
- Haemolysin BL enterotoxin is not the sole enterotoxin produced by B. cereus.
- At least one additional enterotoxin complex, besides HBL and enterotoxin T, is implicated in B. cereus pathogenicity.