Molecular Characterization of Bacillus cereus Toxigenic Strains Isolated from Different Food Matrices in Jordan

BACKGROUND: Bacillus cereus is increasingly recognized as one of the causative agents of food poisoning in different parts of the world. METHODS: In this study, molecular characterization of B. cereus toxigenic strains isolated from food in Jordan was performed. A total of 202 food samples were collected from local markets and restaurants. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: B. cereus was found in 23.3% (47) of the food samples. The hemolytic enterotoxin hblA, hblC, and hblD were detected in 40.4%, 36.5%, and 75% of the isolates, respectively. Combination of all three hbl genes was detected in 19 isolates (36.5%). The nonhemolytic enterotoxin nheA, nheB, and nheC were detected in 61.5%, 92.3%, and 92.3% of the isolates, respectively. All three nhe genes were detected in 27 isolates (51.9%). The six enterotoxin genes (hemolysin BL [HBL] and NHE complexes) were detected in 25% of isolates. The cytK gene was detected in 53.8% of B. cereus isolates, whereas the bceT gene was detected in 69.2%. Only four emetic toxin-producing isolates were found to carry all the three genes of NHE complex, but none of the HBL complex ones. The B. cereus Enterotoxin-Reversed Passive Latex Agglutination assay results were strongly correlated with molecular detection of the L(2) part of the HBL complex (p≤0.01). This study demonstrated the occurrence of potentially enterotoxic and emetic toxic B. cereus isolates in the food samples analyzed from Jordan.