Y. enterocolitica gastroenteritis - a prospective study.

Two thousand faecal samples were collected from diarrhoeal patients of all age groups and processed by using MacConkey agar and Yersinia selective agar [Cefsulodin-Irgasan-Novobiocin (CIN) media]. One hundred and seventy faecal samples from non-diarrhoeal (healthy controls) were also processed. Samples were subjected to cold enrichment before processing. Three hundred and seventy-four (18.7%) faecal samples were positive for bacterial pathogens, of which 41 (2.05%) had Y. enterocolitica infection. Y. enterocolitica was more common in patients above 16 years of age 23/41 (56%). Higher rates of isolation were recorded during winter months. Of the typable isolates 21.9% belonged to 0:3 serotype followed by 01, 2a, 3 (17%) serotype. Twelve (29.2%) isolates were untypable. 51.2% isolates of Y. enterocolitica belonged to biotype IV whereas 24.4%, 19.5%, 4.9% belonged to type I, II and III respectively. Majority of the isolates were found sensitive to chloramphenicol, gentamicin, amikacin, ciprofloxacin, ampicillin, netromycin, cefoperazone, tobramycin and pefloxacin. All isolates were resistant to ofloxacin.