Development and testing of a synthetic oligonucleotide probe for the detection of pathogenic Yersinia strains

Abstract

A 24-base oligonucleotide probe specific for a region of the Yersinia enterocolitica virulence plasmid (pYV) associated with HEp-2 cell cytotoxicity and the Sereny reaction was constructed by using sequences flanking critical TnphoA insertions in a subclonal fragment of pYV. This probe, highly specific and sensitive for virulent yersiniae, detected pathogenic Y. enterocolitica isolates in artificially inoculated foods.