Molecular characterization of Yersinia enterocolitica 1A strains isolated from Buenos Aires sewage water.

Abstract

None of the plasmid encoded genes virF, yadA and the V-antigen gene were present in strains isolated from Buenos Aires sewage water suggesting that the pYV is absent. This was confirmed by plasmid isolation (data not shown). Chromosomally encoded ail and yst were absent in all five strains, but inv was detected in strains BA2, 4 and 5. Sequence analysis of the amplicons obtained did not show evidence that the gene might be functional. Interestingly, the 16S rRNA gene sequence of all 5 Argentinian strains was specific for the European subspecies Y. enterocolitica palearctica pointing to the fact that Y. enterocolitica was imported into Argentina with animals, food, feed or even humans and that it was possible for theses strains to get accustomed to the adverse ‘life condition’ on a new continent. It can be concluded that this might also be possible for enteropathogenic yersiniae. However, invasion of tissue culture cells will be carried out with strains BA1-5 to analyze their real invasive potential.