Characterization of flagellar antigens and insecticidal activities of Bacillus thuringiensis populations in animal feces

Curr Microbiol. 2003 Apr;46(4):287-90. doi: 10.1007/s00284-002-3885-4.

Abstract

In total, 287 Bacillus thuringiensis isolates, recovered from feces of 28 zoo-maintained animal species, were examined for flagellar (H) antigenicity and insecticidal activity. Serologically, 209 isolates (72.8%) were allocated to the 8 H serogroups, 4 were untypable, and 74 were untestable. Among the 8 H serotypes detected, H3abc (serovar kurstaki) predominated at a high frequency of 88.0%, followed by H6 (serovar entomocidus) with a frequency of 7.7%. Insecticidal activity was associated with 67.2% of the fecal populations: 188 isolates were toxic to both Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) and Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae), 2 isolates were specific for B. mori, and 3 isolates were toxic to A. aegypti only. Of the isolates with dual toxicity, 97.9% belonged to the serovar kurstaki, producing bipyramidal parasporal inclusions. All of the H7 (serovar aizawai) isolates were toxic to both insects.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Bacterial / analysis
  • Bacillus thuringiensis / chemistry
  • Bacillus thuringiensis / classification*
  • Bacillus thuringiensis / isolation & purification
  • Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / analysis
  • Birds / microbiology
  • Feces / microbiology*
  • Flagella / chemistry
  • Insecticides / metabolism
  • Insecticides / toxicity*
  • Reptiles / microbiology
  • Serotyping
  • Spores, Bacterial / cytology
  • Spores, Bacterial / drug effects

Substances

  • Antigens, Bacterial
  • Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins
  • Insecticides