title: Epidemiology and pathogenesis of Bacillus cereus infections.
abstract: Bacillus cereus is a causative agent in both gastrointestinal and in nongastrointestinal infections. Enterotoxins, emetic toxin (cereulide), hemolysins, and phoshpolipase C as well as many enzymes such as beta-lactamases, proteases and collagenases are known as potential virulence factors of B. cereus. A special surface structure of B. cereus cells, the S-layer, has a significant role in the adhesion to host cells, in phagocytosis and in increased radiation resistance. Interest in B. cereus has been growing lately because it seems that B. cereus-related diseases, in particular food poisonings, are growing in number.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Dentistry, P.O. Box 41, FIN-00014, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kotiranta
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lounatmaa
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haapasalo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016863:Bacillaceae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D001409:Bacillus cereus / Q000145:classification / Q000201:enzymology / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000528:radiation effects; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D010587:Phagocytosis; D014774:Virulence
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; C055764:S-layer proteins