The morphology of the germ corresponds to a large shaped bacillus stick 1 .mu.m wide and 3 to 4 .mu.m long, sporulé, movable through ciliature peritrichous, a length greater than 3 microns and an average diameter of 1,4 .mu.m and aerobic-anaerobic respiratory type, having a positivity Gram stain, and synthesizing two types of toxins : a thermostable toxin and heat-labile toxin.
Health
Germ Bacillus cereus, found ubiquitously in soil, is frequently responsible for food poisoning opportunistic, and around the world but particularly in Europe. This very often involves the ingestion of unrefrigerated food after cooking and after first consumption. (cooked rice for example). The number of germs sufficient to cause poisoning is one million.
Food poisoning Bacillus cereus takes two forms :
- The emetic form, accompanied by nausea and vomiting (incubation time : 1 to 5 hours).
- The diarrheal form, accompanied by abdominal pain and diarrhea(incubation time : 6 to 24 hours).
In both cases, it is a benign opportunistic infection with spontaneous resolution, most often in 24 hours. However, if the poisoning occurs in an immunocompromised subject, there may be bacterial dissemination with a picture of meningitis, endocarditis…
Source : Wikipedia
Additional information : ANSES-Bacillus-Cereus (Download PDF)