[Evaluation of the immunochromatography kit for detection of emetic-toxin producing Bacillus cereus]

Shokuhin Eiseigaku Zasshi. 2012;53(6):273-7. doi: 10.3358/shokueishi.53.273.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

We evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of an immunochromatography kit, Single-path Emetic Tox Mrk (Merck), which targets a marker protein for the detection of Bacillus cereus that produces emetic toxin. Strains were isolated after outbreaks of food poisoning, and from retail prepared foods and food products. The strains were examined for the presence of the emetic toxin-synthetase gene by PCR. All 58 emetic strains isolated from the food poisoning cases showed a positive reaction in the immunochromatography kit. No emetic strains gave false negative result. Among 47 non-emetic strains, only two strains isolated from the food poisonings and one strain isolated from food products showed a false positive reaction in the test. We concluded that this method has high sensitivity and specificity. The test can be used for detection of emetic toxin-producing B. cereus not only from food poisoning cases, but also in food products.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Bacillus cereus / enzymology
  • Bacillus cereus / isolation & purification*
  • Bacillus cereus / metabolism
  • Chromatography, Affinity / methods*
  • Depsipeptides / biosynthesis*
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • False Negative Reactions
  • False Positive Reactions
  • Food Microbiology / methods*
  • Foodborne Diseases / epidemiology
  • Foodborne Diseases / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Japan / epidemiology
  • Peptide Synthases / analysis
  • Peptide Synthases / genetics
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Reagent Kits, Diagnostic / standards*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Depsipeptides
  • Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
  • cereulide
  • Peptide Synthases