title: Acute toxicity and cytotoxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus sphaericus strains on fish and mouse bone marrow.
abstract: The insecticidal properties of delta-endotoxins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) serotypes kurstaki and israelensis and crystal proteins of Bacillus sphaericus (Bs) serotype H5 have been used in insect control for decades. The availability of microbial toxins in biopesticides as well as in plants with incorporated protection has been increasing the concerns about biosafety. Acute toxicity to Danio rerio and cytotoxicity on mouse bone marrow cells and peripheral erythrocytes of Oreochromis niloticus were tested with Bt israelensis, Bt kurstaki and Bs H5 strains. The concentration and dose tested were 10(6) and 10(8) spores/ml, respectively. Neither lethality nor effects on mouse bone marrow were promoted by any strain. In necrosis-apoptosis study on peripheral erythrocytes of O. niloticus an increased frequency of necrotic cells caused by exposure to strains of B. thuringiensis was found. Exposure to B. sphaericus did not show cytotoxic effects in either tested system. None of the strains studied induced apoptosis in contrast with the chemical controls.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Genética e Morfologia, IB, Universidade de Brasília, Brasilia, DF, 70910-900, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cesar Koppe
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Grisolia
authors.forename: Eduardo Cyrino
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Oliveira-Filho
authors.forename: Felipe Rosa
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.forename: Madaí Cruz
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.forename: Daphne Heloisa Freitas
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Muniz
authors.forename: Rose Gomes
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Monnerat
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001407:Bacillus; D001413:Bacillus thuringiensis; D000083722:Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000633:toxicity*; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000187:drug effects*; D023681:Cichlids; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins / Q000633:toxicity*; D051379:Mice; D023382:Toxicity Tests, Acute; D015027:Zebrafish
chemical_list: D000083722:Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004731:Endotoxins; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins; C030956:insecticidal crystal protein, Bacillus Thuringiensis