CHARACTERISTICS OF YERSINIA-PSEUDOTUBERCULOSIS ISOLATED FROM ANIMALS IN BRAZIL

Strains (105) Of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis isolated in Brazil betwee n 1982 and 1990 mere bio-serotyped. They were also studied for plasmid profile, autoagglutination and calcium dependence at 37 degrees C, Co ngo red uptake, pyrazinamidase activity, esculin hydrolysis, salicin f ermentation and drug sensitivity: 95.24% were biotype 2, serogroup O:3 ; 2.86% were biotype 1, serogroup O:1; and 1.90% were biotype 2, non-a gglutinable. Plasmids were found in 77.14% of the strains (one in each strain). There was total correlation between the presence of the viru lence plasmid and autoagglutination, calcium dependence at 37 degrees C and Congo red uptake. The esculin, salicin and pyrazinamidase tests were not efficient in differentiating pathogenic from non-pathogenic Y , pseudotuberculosis isolates. All strains were highly sensitive to th e drugs used. These results indicate that Y. pseudotuberculosis is a p otential pathogen for humans in Brazil, especially because the bio-ser ogroups detected among animals are those most frequently associated wi th human diseases.