An overview of Yersinia enterocolitica and related species in samples of different origin from San Luis, Argentina

This study is aimed at offering an overview of the prevalence of Yersinia enterocolitica and related species in San Luis, Argentina, from samples of diverse origin received in our laboratory between 1984 and 2014, and providing an analysis of the distribution of Yersinia isolates according to their isolation sources, highlighting bioserotypes and potential reservoirs and vehicles of transmission to humans. From a total of 4572 samples of human, animal, food and environmental origins analyzed by traditional culture methods and molecular techniques, 229 (5%) samples were Yersinia positive. The highest frequency of Yersinia isolates was observed in environmental specimens (14.3%), followed by animal (9.2%), food (5%) and human (0.6%) samples. A total of 255 Yersinia isolates were characterized, including 183 Y. enterocolitica and 72 isolates of other Yersinia species. Biotype 1A associated to several serotypes was identified in Y. enterocolitica isolates from environment (100%), animals (95.5%), foods (71.7%) and human samples (40%); bioserotype 2/O:9 was identified in isolates from foods (25.5%), and biotype 3 was associated with strains from humans (60%), animals (4.5%) and foods (2.8%). This biotype included three strains O:3 and six strains O:5. The data highlight animals and foods as the main Y. enterocolitica sources in our region. •Animals and foods are important Y. enterocolitica sources in San Luis, Argentina.•The 5% of samples analyzed throughout 30 years was Yersinia positive.•183 Y. enterocolitica and 72 isolates of other Yersinia species were identified.•Pathogenic Y. enterocolitica bioserotypes were recovered from foods.•Biotype 1A was prevalent in Y. enterocolitica strains of various sources.