ABSTRACT
TH R E E Yersinia species are pathogenic for humans or animals: Y. pestis, propagating plague, a nowadays resurgent disease, Y. pseudotuberculosis, causing diarrhea and death in rodents as a result of septicaemia, and Y. enterocolitica, an etiological agent of gastroenteritis in humans. Y. enterocolitica is widespread across the globe and is a common foodborne pathogen. Infection mainly occurs by ingestion of contaminated food or water, pork meat being a current contamination source (Tauxe et al., 1987).
