Struvite crystal precipitation by different phenotypes of Yersinia.

Extracellular formation of struvite crystals by Yersinia enterocolitica, Y. frederiksenii, Y. kristensenii and Y intermedia strains was investigated. Precipitation of crystalline structures was found with 19 of the 187 strains tested, its formation being more frequently observed at 25 degrees C than at 37 degrees C. Production of struvite was greater in Y. enterocolitica strains belonging to biotype 1, serogroup 0:7,8 and lysotype Xz, than observed in other phenotypes. Quantitative assay in a liquid medium showed that struvite formation began after 3 d of incubation; production of these crystals increased up to 15 d. Crystalline structures were examined using electron microscopy and their extracellular formation was observed.