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An Outbreak of Bacillus cereus Emetic Toxin Mediated Food Poisoning After Consumption of Fried Rice in Assam

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Abstract

Bacillus cereus is an emerging food-borne pathogen responsible for two types of food poisoning: emetic and diarrhoeal type. Here we report an emetic type of food-borne illness attributable to Bacillus cereus. On 2nd February, 2021, 202 people suffered from pain in abdomen and vomiting after consuming the rice provided during a public gathering in Diphu, Assam. Culture of leftover fried rice showed growth of Bacillus cereus group of organisms. Molecular detection of enterotoxin and emetic toxin genes was done in the isolated strains by polymerase chain reaction. Multi locus sequence typing (MLST) and phylogenetic analysis was done to characterise the isolated strains. A total of five strains of Bacillus cereus were isolated. Ces gene was found in isolates GMC22 & GMC24 and other enterotoxins producing genes were found in isolates GMC23 and GMC24. MLST identified four sequence types (STs) (ST1051, ST1616, ST998 and ST1000). Phylogenetic analysis clustered ST-1051 assigned to the GMC22 strain into the previously defined clade I and was in close relation with ST-144, representing a new cereulide-producing emetic cluster. As Bacillus cereus is a common contaminant of foods, it is essential to evaluate the pathogenic potential of the bacteria for a definite link between causative agents and the illness. MLST can be used to characterize the Bacillus cereus strains isolated from outbreak samples in order to link the probable pathogens with the illness. In this outbreak, we suggest that ST-1051 is the strain responsible for the food-borne illness, which was predominantly of emetic type.

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Acknowledgements

Authors thank Mr. Navonil Gogoi, Scientist- B, Department of Microbiology, Assam Medical College & Hospital, Dibrugarh, for doing the molecular works. Authors thank Dr. Reema Nath, Professor & Head, Department of Microbiology, Assam Medical College & Hospital, Dibrugarh, for allowing to do the molecular works in Multidisciplinary Research Laboratory of Assam Medical College & Hospital. Authors also thank State surveillance officer of IDSP Assam for giving the information and data of the outbreak.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology, Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, Guwahati, Assam, 781032, India

    Lahari Saikia, Devyashree Medhi, Lakshyasri Baishya & Suranjana Chaliha Hazarika

  2. Department of Microbiology, Kokrajhar Medical College and Hospital, Kokrajhar, Assam, 783370, India

    Simi Bora

  3. Department of Microbiology, Nagaon Medical College and Hospital, Nagaon, Assam, 782001, India

    Manjuri Kataki

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  1. Lahari Saikia
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Saikia, L., Medhi, D., Bora, S. et al. An Outbreak of Bacillus cereus Emetic Toxin Mediated Food Poisoning After Consumption of Fried Rice in Assam. Indian J Microbiol 64, 957–962 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12088-023-01167-5

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