RESUMO
OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the detection and sequencing of plasmid encoded tetracycline resistance genes (tetA and tetB) from food-borne and standard strains of Bacillus cereus (B. cereus).@*METHODS@#A PCR was carried out to detect the tetracycline resistance genes (tetA and tetB) in food-borne B. cereus strains and the amplified products were sequenced.@*RESULTS@#The phenotypic resistance against tetracycline was observed in 39 of the 118 food-borne isolates and two reference strains (MTCC 430 and MTCC 1307) of B. cereus. Among the phenotypically resistant isolates, tetA was detected in 36 food-borne isolates and two reference strains (MTCC 430 and MTCC 1307), whereas, tetB was detected in 12 food-borne isolates and MTCC 1307 strain.@*CONCLUSIONS@#A close association was therefore found between phenotypic resistance against tetracycline and presence of tetracycline resistance genes. The tetA and tetB gene fragments were amplified, purified and sequenced. The gene sequences of the isolates studied herein were found similar to tetA and tetB gene sequences of other bacteria available in NCBI. The occurrence of tetA and tetB genes in B. cereus indicate the horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance determinants from other bacteria into B. cereus. The transfer of these resistant determinants to other potentially pathogenic bacteria may be a matter of great concern.