Detection of pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica serotype O:3 by biochemical, serological, and PCR methods

In this study, the pathogenic Y. enterocolitica of serotype O:3 was monitored. The serotype is widely spread in Europe and has been linked to human yersiniosis. For the detection of pathogenic strains were used biochemical and serological methods as well as PCR methods based on the identification of virulence genes (ail, rfbC, ystA, yadA, virF). The occurrence of Y. enterocolitica O:3 strains was monitored in slaughter animals from a number of farms in the Czech Republic. A total of 3748 samples were collected coming from pigs (1388), cattle (633), poultry (902), and slaughter facilities (825). Fifty-two Y. enterocolitica O:3 isolates were identified by biochemical and serologic methods, and 53 Y. enterocolitica O:3 isolates were identified by PCR methods (46 isolates from pigs, 2 isolates from poultry, 3 isolates from cattle, and 2 isolates from a poultry slaughtering facility). All isolates of Y. enterocolitica O:3 carried genes ail and rfbC, 83% isolates carried gene ystA, 79% isolates carried gene yadA and 49% isolates carried gene virF. The use of PCR methods based on the identification of ail and rfbC genes provides for a sufficiently specific identification of pathogenic Y. enterocolitica O:3 strains with optimum time consumption compared to biochemical and serological methods. It is not recommendable to use other PCR methods (detection of the ystA, yadA, and virF genes) for the detection of pathogenic Y. enterocolitica strains because those methods are not very specific for the determination of pathogenicity.