Frequency of isolation of Yersinia enterocolitica from livestock in Trinidad

ABSTRACT

As part of a study to determine the enteric pathogens associated with diarrhoea in livestock in Trinidad, rectal swabs were taken from diarrhoeic and non-diarrhoeic calves, piglets, lambs and kids. Swabs were transported to the laboratory ice-cooled in Amies transport medium within two hours of collection and then enriched in 0.067 M phosphate buffered saline, pH 7.6 for three weeks at 4§C. Subcultures were made on to Yersinia selective medium (Oxoid) after one and three weeks and incubated at room temperature (22 to 25§C) for 24 to 48 hours. Pinkish 'bull-eyed' colonies were picked and subjected to biochemical tests as reported by Shiemann and Flemming (1981). The confirmation of isolates, serotyping and biotyping were kindly done at the Laboratory Centre for Disease Control in Ontario, Canada (AU)