The molecular taxonomy of Yersinia enterocolitica.

The stretches of Yersinia enterocolitica strain Ye 62 DNA which show base sequence homology with Escherichia coli strain B DNA were removed from a preparation of tritiated Y. enterocolitica DNA by DNA reassociation techniques. This DNA preparation was then used in reassociation reactions with DNA from various selected strains of Yersinia and coliform bacteria. The results suggest that the bulk of the genes, which are in common between Y. enterocolitica and E. coli, are different from those shared by Y. enterocolitica and other species of Yersinia.