A hundred and twenty samples of different types of milk were examined to the presence of Bacillus cereus and the enterotoxigenic potential of the isolated strains. Bacillus cereus was isolated and identified in 22 (73.0%), 15 (50.0%), 29 (96.7%) and four (13.3%) samples of powder, raw, pasteurized and UHT milk, respectively. The enterotoxigenicity detection using the rabbit ileal loop assay showed positive, respectively, three (13.6%), one (7.1%) and 10 (35.7%) isolated strains from powder, raw and pasteurized milk. Using vascular permeability activity assay two (9.1%), one (7.1%), one (3.6%) and one (4.0%) isolated strains from powder, raw, pasteurized and UHT milk were positive, respectively. The reversed passive latex agglutination test showed diarrheal toxin production by three (33.3%), seven (63.6%), four (30.8%) and eight (80.0%) strains isolated from, respectively, powder, raw, pasteurized and UHT milk. Those results indicated a potential hazard and may put in risk the health of the consumers of these products.
milk; Bacillus cereus; enterotoxins
