View source for Bacillus cereus

==Background==
[[File:bcereus.png|thumb|B. cereus growing on blood agar]]
*[[Gram-positive]], beta-hemolytic, rod-shaped bacterium
*Known for causing foodborne illness in humans, though some strains are probiotic
*Classically associated with "fried rice syndrome"
*8-16 hour incubation time

===Pathogenesis===
*The emetic form is commonly caused by rice cooked for a time and temperature insufficient to kill any spores present, then improperly refrigerated. It can produce a toxin which is not inactivated by later reheating.  This form leads to nausea and vomiting one to five hours after consumption. It can be difficult to distinguish from other short-term bacterial foodborne intoxications such as by Staphylococcus aureus.
*Bacillus foodborne illnesses occur due to survival of endospores when food is improperly cooked.  Bacterial growth results in production of enterotoxins, one of which is heat- and acid-stable (pH 2 to 11); ingestion leads to two types of illness: diarrheal and emetic.

==Clinical Features==
*Causes severe [[nausea]], [[vomiting]], and [[diarrhea]].<ref> Kotiranta A, Lounatmaa K, Haapasalo M (2000). "Epidemiology and pathogenesis of Bacillus cereus infections". Microbes Infect 2 (2): 189–98. doi:10.1016/S1286-4579(00)00269-0. PMID 10742691.</ref>

==Differential Diagnosis==
{{Diarrhea DDX}}

==Management==
Primarily supportive/symptomatic treatment, as most patients recover.

==Prognosis==
*Most emetic patients recover within 6-24 hours
**In some rare cases, the toxin can be fatal.<ref> Takabe F, Oya M (1976). "An autopsy case of food poisoning associated with Bacillus cereus". ForensicSci 7 (2): 97–101.</ref>

==Table Overview==
{{Clinically Relevant Bacteria}}

==See Also==
*[[Microbiology (Main)]]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:ID]]