Serological and biochemical characteristics of virulence plasmid of Yersinia enterocolitica isolates from chicken in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica harbour plasmid that is essential for virulence. We studied the characteristics of virulence plasmid using serological, biochemical and bioassay tests in Y. enterocolitica isolates of chicken using plasmid curing. Plasmid-cured isogenic derivatives (2029c and 2150c) were obtained from two isolates of Y. enterocolitica (RTCC 2029 and RTCC 2150). The results demonstrated that plasmid-bearing isolates (2029 and 2150) were human-serum-resistant when grown at 37 degrees C, but were sensitive when grown at 25 degrees C, whereas plasmid-cured isolates (2029c and 2150c) were sensitive when grown at both temperatures. Also autoagglutination, calcium-dependency tests and experimental infection in mice demonstrated that these phenotypes were associated with the virulence plasmid.