First insights into the prevalence, genetic characteristics, and pathogenicity of <i>Bacillus cereus</i> from generations worldwide

<i>Bacillus cereus</i>, a global threat, is one of the major causes of toxin-induced foodborne diseases. However, a comprehensive assessment of the prevalence and characteristics of <i>B. cereus</i> worldwide is still lacking. Here, we applied whole-genome sequence analysis to 191 <i>B. cereus</i> collected in Africa, America, Asia, Europe, and Oceania from the 1900s to 2022, finding that CC142 dominated the global <i>B. cereus</i> clonal complex. The results provided direct evidence that <i>B. cereus</i> could spread through the food chain and intercontinentally. <i>B. cereus</i> from different generations worldwide showed coherence in the antibiotic-resistant gene and virulence and biofilm gene profiles, although with high genomic heterogeneity. The <i>BCI-BCII-vanZF-fosB</i> profiles and virulence and biofilm genes were detected at high rates, and we emphasized that <i>B. cereus</i> would pose a serious challenge to global public health and clinical treatment.IMPORTANCEThis study first emphasized the prevalence, genetic characteristics, and pathogenicity of <i>Bacillus cereus</i> worldwide from the 1900s to 2022 using whole-genome sequence analysis. The CC142 dominated the global <i>Bacillus cereus</i> clonal complex. Moreover, we revealed a close evolutionary relationship between the isolates from different sources. <i>B. cereus</i> isolates from different generations worldwide showed coherence in potential pathogenicity, although with high genomic heterogeneity. The <i>BCI-BCII-vanZF-fosB</i> profiles and virulence and biofilm genes were detected at high rates, and we emphasized that <i>B. cereus</i> would pose a serious challenge to global public health and clinical treatment.