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Transmission of Yersinia enterocolitica 4/O:3 to pets via contaminated pork
Author(s) -
FredrikssonAhomaa M.,
Korte T.,
Korkeala H.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
letters in applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.698
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1472-765X
pISSN - 0266-8254
DOI - 10.1046/j.1472-765x.2001.00922.x
Subject(s) - yersinia enterocolitica , feces , biology , genotype , veterinary medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , raw meat , cats , yersinia , food science , bacteria , medicine , biochemistry , gene , genetics
Aims: This study was conducted to investigate sources of Yersinia enterocolitica 4/O:3 infections in dogs and cats. Methods and Results: Transmission of Y. enterocolitica 4/O:3 to pets via contaminated pork was studied using PFGE with Not I, Apa I and Xho I enzymes. A total of 132 isolates, of which 16 were from cat and dog faeces and 116 from raw pork samples, were recovered in Finland during 1998–99. Cat 1, whose diet consisted mostly of raw pig hearts and kidneys, excreted Y. enterocolitica 4/O:3 of genotype G4. This predominant genotype was also found in isolates recovered from the pig heart, liver, kidney, tongue and ear, and minced pork samples. Dog 2, which was fed raw minced pork, excreted Y. enterocolitica of genotype G13. This genotype was also identified in isolates recovered from the pig heart, kidney and tongue, and minced pork samples. Conclusions: These results show that raw pork can be an important source of Yersinia enterocolitica 4/O:3 infections in dogs and cats. Significance and Impact of the Study: Raw pork should not be given to pets.