Genotypic and Phenotypic Variation of Yersinia enterocolitica Isolated from Different Sources

Yersinia enterocolitica is an enteropathogen that widely distributed in nature with high public health relevance and transmitted mostly by contaminated food. This study aimed to study the prevalence; phenotypic and genotypic characterization of the isolated Y. enterocolitica strains from 175 random samples of cow milk; beef; chicken meat; diarrheic cow and sheep faeces(35 for each), collected from different shops; dairy herds and sheep flocks, at Kaliobia Governorate Egypt, beside, investigation of the possible relationships among the isolated Y. enterocolitica  strains. The obtained results revealed that 18 Y. enterocolitica isolates were recovered; they were isolated from cow milk samples (6/17.1%); chicken meat (5/14.3%); beef (4/11.4%) and cow faeces (3/8.6%), but failed to be isolated from sheep faeces. Four biotype groups (four 1A; seven 1B, three biotype 3 and four biotype4) were recognized biochemically. Moreover, many phenotypic virulence factors detected in some isolates as  hemlysin , lecithinase, lipase ,proteinase and biofilm formation   the isolated Y. enterocolitica were highly resistant for Penicillin G. ; ampicillin ; tetracycline ; amoxicillin and streptomycin ,but   they were highly sensitive to meropenem ; norfloxacin ; ciprofloxacin ; gentamycin and Florfenicol. PCR appeared that, the ail gene was amplified in five and yst gene in four out of eight studied Y. enterocolitica strains. ERIC PCR showed many bands from 214 to 1228 and divided the 8 isolate to three genotypes. In conclusion, Y. enterocolitica strains with multiple antimicrobial resistances were isolated from milk, beef, chicken meat, cow faeces and could represent a public health concern. So, strict hygienic measures should be applied to minimize Y. enterocolitica contamination in milk and meat, also the antimicrobial resistances of Y. enterocolitica isolates should be monitored continuously to avoid public health hazards.