Yersinia enterocolitica and related species isolated from wildlife in New York state

Abstract

Fecal specimens for Yersinia screening were obtained from a variety of wild mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, and invertebrates throughout New York state. One specimen from each of 1,426 animals was examined. A total of 148 isolates of Yersinia enterocolitica and related species were obtained from 133 (9.3%) of the animals. Y. enterocolitica was isolated from 100 (7%) of the animals tested, including 81 (10%) of 812 mammals and 19 (3.3%) of 573 birds. Y. intermedia, Y. frederiksenii, and Y. kristensenii were isolated from 39 (2.7%)., 5 (0.35%), and 4 (0.28%) animals, respectively. The 81 Y. enterocolitica isolates from mammals belonged to 15 serogroups and included three pathogens: two isolates of typical serogroup O:8, the 'American strain', one from a gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) and one from a porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum); and one isolate of serogroup O:3, bacteriophage type IXb, the 'Canadian strain', from a gray fox. The most prevalent serogroups recovered from mammals were O:6,31 (16 isolates) and O:5,27 (6 isolates). The 19 isolates of Y. enterocolitica from birds belonged to nine serogroups and included one serogroup O:6,31 isolate from a common grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) and two serogroup O:5,27 isolates from great horned owls (Bubo virginianus).