CHARACTERIZATION OF ATYPICAL BIOTYPE-3, SEROTYPE O-3 YERSINIA AND DEVELOPMENT OF A SIMPLE IDENTIFICATION SCHEME

Five clinical strains of Yersinia isolated in Japan and identified as atypical biotype 3 or biotype 3B, serotype O:3, phage type II (3/O:3/ II) Yersinia enterocolitica were characterised since the biochemical r eactions of these strains indicate they might also belong to the speci es Yersinia bercovieri. Biochemical tests, characterisation of the bet a-lactamases and DNA-DNA hybridization studies provided strong evidenc e indicating that these strains should be classified as Yersinia enter ocolitica. A simple scheme combining a disc diffusion test and four bi ochemical tests was devised for identification of these atypical strai ns.