ABSTRACT
Yersinia enterocolitica has been isolated worldwide from a variety of human clinical specimens such as wounds, mesenteric lymph nodes, abscesses, feces, and sputa. Successful isolation of Y. enterocolitica bacteria from any of the three specimen types requires that the sample: be adequate in size, especially those to be cold enriched; be protected from dehydration; and be generally packed in wet ice during transport from the field to the laboratory. Isolation of Y. enterocolitica serotypes other than O:3, such as O:8, that are prevalent in the United States generally requires cold enrichment in order for successful recovery. Although Y. enterocolitica is a member of the family Enterobacteriaceae, it grows better than other enteric bacteria at 25°C than at 36°C. Feces and throat cultures usually contain large numbers of other bacteria. Isolates resembling Y. enterocolitica in the screening media should be tested with the biochemicals. These are minimal tests which separate Yersinia species from other closely related bacteria.
