[Yersinia enterocolitica in drinking water (author's transl)]

Yersinia enterocolitica was recovered from drinking water stemming from three different water supplies. The isolates were all biovar 1, subgroup V according to Winblad. Isolation of these strains was made at 37 degrees C on Endo- and Lorenz-agar after enrichment in buffered nutrient broth supplemented with oxgall, lactose and dextrose. Y. enterocolitica was identified with the API 20 E-System. For grouping the strains, additional biochemical tests were done with the Minitek-System. Y. enterocolitica would not have been identified with the routinely used IMVIC-scheme. Therefore, a more sensitive routine system in identifying waterborne bacteria seems to be necessary. Finally, to our knowledge this is the first report of isolations of Y. enterocolitica from drink water in Austria.