Abstract
This study dealt with an examination of 140 isolates of Yersinia species from slaughtered swine. The isolates were identified as 131 strains of Y. enterocolitica serotype 03, four strains of Y. enterocolitica other than serotype 03 and five strains of the other Yersinia sp. based on the presence ofvirulence associated properties, such as 44 Md plasmid, calcium dependency, auto-agglutination and pyrazinamidase activity.
Up to 111 strains (84.7%) of the 131 isolates of Y. enterocolitica serotype 03, harbored the virulent plasmid and were positive for calcium dependency and auto-agglutination. As for the pyrazinamidase test, 128 strains (97.7%) were negative irrespective of the presence of the virulence plasmid.
The pyrazinamidase activity seems not to be associated with the virulent plasmid.
Previously, the authors reported that Y. enterocotitica serotype 03, was trequentiy recoverea from slaughtered swine. As a consequence of the tests on the virulence associated properties more than 80% of the isolates obsorved were pathogenic. Hence, the contamination of carcasses with the organisms at abattoir should be thoroughly prevented.
