Genotypic and phenotypic characteristics of Yersinia spp. isolates from food and man

Yersinia strains collected by the Unit of Enteric Pathogens of the Istituto Superiore di Sanita were analysed for bioserogroup, virulence-related characteristics, DNA plasmid profile and biotype. The isolates were from clinical and food samples, 26 were Y. enterocolitica, four Y. intermedia and four Y. frederiksenii. Seventeen were isolated in Northern Italy 11 in Southern Italy, five in Central Italy and one from a sample of mussels imported from Greece. Virulence-related characteristics were expressed only by four Y. enterocolitica, bioserogroup 4:O3 associated with the presence of a plasmid weighing 76.8 Kbp. The DNA digested by Spel and Xbal and analysed by PFGE generated restriction patterns of 12-23 bands, ranging between 400 and 20 Kbp. The similarities of the DNA fingerprintings of Y, enterocolitica strains generated using Spel and Xbal and calculated by Dice's index were not closely related to bioserogroup. (C) 2000 Academic Press.