The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Bacillus cereus culture

Bacillus cereus culture

Selective culture in patients with suspected Bacillus cereus culture. This test is not routinely carried out and so brief clinical and epidemiological information should be included. Positive isolates are referred to the reference laboratory for detection of emetic toxin gene by PCR

Tube Brown top universal with spoon
ID 3633
Additional Information Bacillus cereus toxin is responsible for approximately 2-5% of food poisoning episodes. 8-16 hours after ingestion of the toxin symptoms of diarrhoea, gastrointestinal pain, nausea and vomiting occur. The symptoms are self-limiting. All food items can be contaminated. Bacillus cereus is ubiquitously present in soil and produces spores which enable it to survive extreme environmental conditions. Diarrhoeal faecal samples or samples taken shortly after the clearance of symptoms can be cultured for Bacillus cereus.
Turn Around 5 days
Send to LGI Microbiology Department
Collection Con Min vol 2g
IP Routine TAT 5 days
GP Routine TAT 5 days