Molecular epidemiology of Yersinia enterocolitica 4/O:3.

Abstract

ConclusionsThe main source of sporadic human YE 4:O3 infections in Finland is the pig. YE 4:O3 is a common bacterium in slaughtered pigs, especially in tonsils. During evisceration, the tonsils are removed in conjunction with the pluck set (tongue, oesophagus, trachea, heart, lungs, diaphragm, liver and kidneys). The spread of YE 4:O3 from highly contaminated tonsils to the offal can not be avoided, especially when they hang together on a hook. Contaminated pig tongues, hearts, livers and kidneys have shown to be an important transmission vehicle of this bacterium from pigs to man. The only way to prevent the spread of pathogenic YE from pig tonsils to offal, carcasses and the environment is to modify the European Union legislation (64/433/EEC), to mandate that the head, containing the tonsils and tongue, should be removed prior to evisceration and that inspection and handling of the head, tonsils and tongue should occur in a separate room.