Further Insights into the Toxicity of Based on Toxin Gene Profiling and Vero Cell Cytotoxicity Assays.

belongs to the group that also comprises the foodborne pathogen sensu stricto, causing anthrax, as well as the biopesticide . The first was isolated in the context of a severe food poisoning outbreak leading to fatal cases of diarrheal disease. Subsequent characterization of the outbreak strain led to the conclusion that this strain was highly cytotoxic and eventually resulted in the description of a novel species, whose name reflects the observed toxicity: . However, only a few isolates of this species have been characterized with regard to their cytotoxic potential and the role of as a causative agent of food poisoning remains largely unclear. Hence, the aim of this study was to gain further insights into the toxicity of . To this end, 19 isolates were obtained from mashed potato powders and characterized by toxin gene profiling and Vero cell cytotoxicity assays. All isolates harbored the (cytotoxin K1) gene and species-specific variants of the (non-hemolytic enterotoxin) gene. The isolates exhibited low or no toxicity towards Vero cells. Thus, this study indicates that the cytotoxic potential of may be potentially lower than initially assumed.