An overview of Yersinia enterocolitica and related species in samples of different origin from San Luis, Argentina

This study is aimed at offering an overview of the prevalence of Yersinia enterocolitica and related species in San Luis, Argentina, from samples of diverse origin received in our laboratory between 1984 and 2014, and providing an analysis of the distribution of Yersinia isolates according to their isolation sources, highlighting bioserotypes and potential reservoirs and vehicles of transmission to humans. From a total of 4572 samples of human, animal, food and environmental origins analyzed by traditional culture methods and molecular techniques, 229 (5%) samples were Yersinia positive. The highest frequency of Yersinia isolates was observed in environmental specimens (14.3%), followed by animal (9.2%), food (5%) and human (0.6%) samples. A total of 255 Yersinia isolates were characterized, including 183 Y. enterocolitica and 72 isolates of other Yersinia species. Biotype 1A associated to several serotypes was identified in Y. enterocolitica isolates from environment (100%), animals (95.5%), foods (71.7%) and human samples (40%); bioserotype 2/O:9 was identified in isolates from foods (25.5%), and biotype 3 was associated with strains from humans (60%), animals (4.5%) and foods (2.8%). This biotype included three strains O:3 and six strains O:5. The data highlight animals and foods as the main Y. enterocolitica sources in our region.

Evaluation of the pathogenic potential, antimicrobial susceptibility, and genomic relations of Yersinia enterocolitica strains from food and human origin

Yersinia enterocolitica is a food-borne pathogen that causes gastroenteritis with occasional postinfection sequels. This study was aimed to determinate the pathogenic potential, antimicrobial susceptibility, and genomic relationships of Y. enterocolitica strains of different bioserotypes (B/O) isolated from foods and human samples in San Luis, Argentina. Strains obtained by culture were bioserotyped and characterized by phenotypic and genotypic virulence markers, antimicrobial susceptibility, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Yersinia enterocolitica was detected in 9.2% of 380 samples, with a distribution of 10.6% (30/284) for food products and 5.2% (5/96) for human samples. Regarding the pathogenic potential, B1A strains of different serotypes were virF(-) ail(-), of which 72.0% (13/18) were ystB(+) with virulence-related phenotypic characteristics. Among B2/O:9 isolates, 75.0% (9/12) exhibited the genotype virF(+) ail(+) ystB(-) along with phenotypic traits associated with virulence; the same genotype was observed in 80.0% (4/5) of B3/O:3 and B3/O:5 strains. By PFGE, it was possible to separate Y. enterocolitica biotypes into 4 clonal groups (A to D) with 23 genomic types, generating a discriminatory index of 0.96. All isolates were susceptible to antimicrobials used for clinical treatment. This study highlights the presence of pathogenic bioserotypes and the high genomic diversity of the Y. enterocolitica strains isolated in our region.

Survival of Yersinia enterocolitica and mesophilic aerobic bacteria on eggshell after washing with hypochlorite and organic acid solutions

Populations of Yersinia enterocolitica 0:9 and mesophilic aerobic bacteria on the shell of fresh chicken eggs were assessed prior and after washing with 0.75%, 1%, and 3% acetic and lactic acids, 50, 100, and 200 mg/liter (ppm) of chlorine, and water. Highest reductions of mesophilic aerobic bacterial populations (normal flora) on trypticase soy agar were 1.28 and 2.15 log10 cycles with 100 and 200 mg/liter of chlorine, 0.28 and 0.36 log10 cycles with 1% and 3% acetic acid, and 0.70 and 0.71 log10 cycles with 1% and 3% lactic acid, respectively, as compared to the control group. No Salmonella or Yersinia were detected among the natural flora of the eggs. On Y. enterocolitica O:9-inoculated eggs, reductions of 2.66, 2.77, and 2.92 log10 cycles by 50, 100, and 200 mg/liter of chlorine, of 2.47, 2.48, and 2.49 log10 cycles by 0.75%, 1%, and 3% of acetic acid, and of 2.48 and 2.72 log10 cycles with 1% and 3% of lactic acid, respectively, were observed with respect to the control. Organic acids at 3% caused detachment of the surface cuticle of the eggshell. Y. enterocolitica was more sensitive to the wash treatments than the natural microflora. The absence of potentially pathogenic Y. enterocolitica, observed for other fresh foods, should be a norm for fresh eggs sold in retail stores.