Special features of distribution of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis in Japan

The incidence of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis isolation from humans, animals, water, and pork in Japan is presented on the basis of a review of the literature and serotyping of 633 strains referred to our laboratory. Most of the strains belonged to serogroup 4b, followed in frequency of isolation by serogroups 3, 1b, 5b, 5a, and the others, whereas serogroup 1a has not been detected. Although strains were isolated from 11 species of animals, none were isolated from birds.