Yersinia enterocolitica biotype 1 in South Africa

Two clinical isolates of Yersinia enterocolitica biotype 1, positive for indole and lecithinase production, xylose and salicin fermentation, and aesculin hydrolysis, are reported. One strain, serotype 0 6, was recovered from a healthy food handler, while the other, serotype 0 5, was associated with a diarrhoeal illness in a 1-year-old child. This is the first report of either of these serotypes from human material in South Africa.