Malaysian Journal of Microbiology (Jan 2013)
Histopathological studies on the effect of bacteriocin producing Bacillus cereus isolate from ‘wara’ a local soft cheese on the liver, kidney and reproductive organs of Wistar albino rats
Abstract
Aims: This study was done to generate a baseline data on the effect of Bacillus cereus and its bacteriocin on the liver, kidney and reproductive organs in both sexes at different concentration.Methodology and results: B. cereus and its bacteriocin were injected intramuscularly in male and female Wistar rats at doses equivalent to 102 CFU and 104 CFU dilutions. Body weights were also noted. The liver, kidney and reproductive organs of the animals were examined for histopathological changes. The liver of female rats administered B. cereus at 102 CFU showed portal and cellular infiltration by mononuclear cells, diffuse hydropic degeneration and severe interstitial hemorrhages of the kidney was observed when 104 CFU of B. cereus was given. Male rats administered 102 CFU and 104 CFU of B. cereus showed diffuse hydropic degeneration and portal congestion of the liver while at 104 CFU the kidney showed diffuse, moderate interstitial cellular infiltration. This is more evident in the wistar rats administered with bacilli organism than the groups that received the bacteriocin. The reproductive organs of treated animals showed no pathological lesions. There were no visible tissue pathological changes in the untreated groups. There were no visible tissue pathological changes in the untreated groups.Conclusion, significance and impact study: The absence of observable toxic effects of the bacteriocin of B. cereus on the sex organs, is not sufficient to determine the safety of this bacteriocin since pathological lesions were observed in the liver and kidney. We hereby suggest a further study on characterization and purification of this bacteriocin as a biopreservative in items not meant for human use or consumption.
