Yersinia enterocolitica in water and foods

Yersinia enterocolitica (Ye) isolates from water (367 strains) and different foods (114 strains) were typed serologically and biochemically. In some samples, especially of water, several Ye serotypes were found simultaneously. A noteworthy finding was Ye 03, biotype 4 in tinned meat paste that had already been on sale without, however, any case of diarrhoeal disease being reported in the particular district. The food and water strains included all Ye O-serotypes except 09. Numerous strains were untypable, probably possessing unknown O-antigens. Water isolates were less active biochemically than strains of identical serotypes from food sources.