Genetic and toxigenic diversity of group isolated from powdered foods.

is a human pathogenic bacterium that produces emetic and diarrheal foodborne diseases. This study evaluated the genetic and toxigenic diversity in group isolates from powdered foods collected in public educational institutions, bakeries and powdered food companies located in Medellín, Colombia. was detected in 35 of 305 (11%) powdered food samples and 52 were isolated. The presence of ten toxin genes, , , , and , was evaluated in the isolates by multiplex PCR. The operon was found in all isolates (100%), in 22 (42%), in 8 (15%) and in 3 (6%); the gene was detected in 32 isolates (62%) and in 32 (62%). Notably, the gene was not detected. According to the presence of toxin genes, fifteen profiles were identified. The predominant toxigenic profile contained all toxin genes but . A large genetic diversity was observed by GTG fingerprinting with 46 isolates grouped in seven clusters and the remaining six clustering individually. There was no relationship between toxigenic profiles and genetic clusters, but some genetic clusters seemed to be related to particular powdered food types. In general, the results evidenced high genetic and enterotoxigenic diversity among the group isolates.