Studies on a haemolytic substance in Yersinia enterocolitica

Yersinia enterocolitica serotype O3 was found to produce a haemolytic substance which could be released from the bacterial cells by sonic disintegration. The substance was non-dialysable, thermolabile, antigenic, and sensitive to trypsin. Chromatographic studies indicated a high molecular weight. Erythrocytes from different mammalian species differed in sensitivity to the haemolytic substance. Y. enterocolitica serotypes O8 and O9 produced no haemolytic substance.