Comparison of sampling and isolation procedures for recovery of Yersinia enterocolitica serotype O:3 from the oral cavity of slaughter pigs.

Yersinia enterocolitica serotype 0:3/biotype 4 was isolated from the oral cavity of altogether 32 (68.1 %) of 47 freshly eviscerated slaughter pigs. Most efficient recovery was achieved by cultivation of tissue samples from both tongue and tonsils of the same individual. The isolation rate so obtained was significantly higher than that obtained by separate examination of either tonsil swabs or tongue swabs. However, the isolation frequency achieved by combined swabbing of the 2 sites was not significantly different. In general, tonsils were more productive for the recovery of 0:3 strains than were tongues, and tissue samples yielded higher isolation rates than did swabs. Three-week cold enrichment in a low selective medium proved essential for optimal recovery. However, the highest number of isolates was obtained using a combination of methods, including direct plating and selective enrichment in a modified Rappaport broth in addition to cold enrichment.