Q1: The heat stable toxin of Bacillus cereus is responsible for: - Fundamentals of Dairy Microbiology & Raw Milk Quality - ICAR AIEEA PG Dairy Science 14 July 2023 Shift-1 Paper | Agrigyan

Bacillus cereus produces two distinct types of food poisoning syndromes: an emetic syndrome caused by a small, cyclic dodecadepsipeptide toxin called cereulide, which is extremely heat stable ($126^\circ\text{C}$ for $90\text{ minutes}$), and a diarrhoeal syndrome caused by heat-labile protein enterotoxins (such as Hbl, Nhe, and CytK).

Option analysis:

• Undulant fever: Caused by Brucella species (Brucellosis), characterized by undulating pyrexia.
• Abortion: Caused by Brucella abortus, Listeria monocytogenes, or Campylobacter fetus in livestock.
• Diarrhoeal syndrome: Caused by heat-labile enterotoxins of Bacillus cereus produced in the small intestine.
• Emetic syndrome: Correct. Pre-formed heat-stable cereulide toxin in food causes acute vomiting and nausea within $1\text{ to }6\text{ hours}$.