title: Analysis of Bacillus cereus toxicity using PCR, ELISA and a lateral flow device.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of immunodetection methods and PCR analysis of enterotoxigenic Bacillus cereus strains.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-eight enterotoxigenic B. cereus group strains linked to food-borne outbreaks and illnesses were studied with 30 exclusivity nonenterotoxigenic strains including Bacillus amyoliquifaciens, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella and Escherichia coli for this assessment. The PCR results showed 80% agreement with immunoassays for the Nhe target and 84% for the Hbl product. All exclusivity strains were PCR and serologically negative.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PCR has proven to be a valuable tool when used in conjunction with immunoassays to quickly identify enterotoxigenic B. cereus group strains.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study assessed the utility of rapid methods to characterize enterotoxigenic profiles of B. cereus group strains. The identification of enterotoxigenic bacteria and any associated toxins detected from food products is essential in food defense programs as public health officials search for methods to rapidly and accurately screen a global food supply.
authors: Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, College Park, MD, USA.
authors: S M
authors: SM
authors: Tallent
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Hait
authors: R W
authors: RW
authors: Bennett
mesh_terms: D001407:Bacillus / Q000235:genetics; D001409:Bacillus cereus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D004768:Enterotoxins / Q000235:genetics; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005516:Food Microbiology; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D004768:Enterotoxins; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins; C000589183:NheA protein, Bacillus cereus; C040792:enterotoxin, Bacillus cereus; C083961:hemolysin BL protein, Bacillus
keywords: Bacillus cereus; detection; enterotoxigenic; food poisoning; food-borne illness