Identification of Yersinia at the Species and Subspecies Levels Is Challenging

Abstract

The genus Yersinia currently includes 18 species, of which Y. enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis are enteropathogenic. The identification of Y. enterocolitica in particular is very demanding because it consists of a group of very heterogeneous bacteria, including pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains. In this study, we provide recent information on the characteristics and identification of Yersinia spp. and the sources of enteropathogenic Yersinia spp. Identification of Yersinia spp. is still mainly based on biochemical tests and serotyping, but molecular methods have increasingly also been used. Pathogenic Y. enterocolitica strains of different bioserotypes have newly been identified from various animal sources. Moreover, the virulence gene ail has been detected in non-pathogenic Yersinia strains, especially from wild animals. Correct identification of pathogenic Yersinia strains is essential in assessing the health risk for humans and animals. Sequencing the whole genome enables more accurate identification of enteropathogenic Yersinia spp.