Emesis of rhesus monkeys induced by intragastric administration with the HEp-2 vacuolation factor (cereulide) produced by Bacillus cereus

FEMS Microbiol Lett. 1995 Jul 15;130(1):87-90. doi: 10.1016/0378-1097(95)00188-B.

Abstract

To study the correlation between emetic toxin and HEp-2 vacuole activity produced by Bacillus cereus isolated from an outbreak of vomiting-type food poisoning, some properties and emetic activities of both purified HEp-2 factor (cereulide) and partially purified factor to rhesus monkeys were determined. The results indicate that both cereulide and partially purified factor were very stable to digestion with proteolytic enzymes, different pH, and heating. Vomiting was induced in the rhesus monkeys orally administered with both substances. From these findings, cereulide (or HEp-2 vacuole factor) is strongly suggested to be an emetic toxin itself.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Bacillus cereus / chemistry*
  • Bacterial Toxins / administration & dosage
  • Bacterial Toxins / isolation & purification
  • Bacterial Toxins / toxicity*
  • Capillary Permeability
  • Cell Line
  • Depsipeptides*
  • Emetics / administration & dosage
  • Emetics / isolation & purification
  • Emetics / toxicity*
  • Enterotoxins / administration & dosage
  • Enterotoxins / isolation & purification
  • Enterotoxins / toxicity*
  • Hemolysis
  • Hot Temperature
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Macaca mulatta
  • Mice
  • Pepsin A
  • Peptides, Cyclic / administration & dosage
  • Peptides, Cyclic / isolation & purification
  • Peptides, Cyclic / toxicity*
  • Trypsin
  • Vacuoles / drug effects

Substances

  • Bacterial Toxins
  • Depsipeptides
  • Emetics
  • Enterotoxins
  • Peptides, Cyclic
  • cereulide
  • Trypsin
  • Pepsin A