Isolation of Yersinia enterocolitica from pigs in the United Kingdom

A survey of the incidence of Yersinia enterocolitica from pigs in the United Kingdom was carried out by two laboratories using pre-enrichment culture methods on colon/caecal contents, faeces and tonsil tissue. Altogether 1931 specimens were cultured and 112 strains of Y enterocolitica were isolated. Only two strains were related to biotype 4, human serotype O:3 and none to biotype 2, human serotype O:9. All other isolates belonged to biotype 1. Many serotypes were identified, the predominant ones being O:6 (30) and O:5 (15) but 41 strains could not be serotyped. Possible reasons for the low incidence of serotype O:3 are discussed.