[The importance of Bacillus cereus in food poisoning].

In the light of the available literature the present knowledge on the role of Bacillus cereus in alimentary intoxications is discussed, particularly the occurrence and role of B. cereus in food pollution, the most frequent alimentary intoxications in the world are reviewed, the biological tests on animals and studies on humans are described, and the metabolites of the organism are presented. Particular attention is given to the properties of enterotoxins responsible for diarrhoea and vomiting.