Safety of the Entomopathogen Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis for Mammals

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Abstract
Six preparations of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis de Barjac were tested for toxicity and infectivity to mice, rats, and rabbits. Oral and aerosol administration of the microbial insecticide to rats resulted in no deaths. Intraperitoneal injection of one preparation into athymic mice produced substantial mortality (26/42), but a subsequent experiment with a different preparation did not result in mortality. B. t. israelensis persisted in the spleen of mice for as long as 7 wk, but multiplication in mammals was not evident. Colony-forming units of B. t. israelensis seemed to be cleared from the host as inert particles. B. t. israelensis dusts caused minimal ocular irritation and pastes caused severe conjunctival congestion in rabbit eyes. We conclude that B. t. israelensis is not a virulent, invasive mammalian pathogen and that it can be used safely in environments where human exposure is likely to occur.

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