The use of alkalinity and incubation at 9 degrees C for improved recovery of Yersinia spp. from faeces.

Recovery of Yersinia enterocolitica and related strains from faecal samples enriched in 1% buffered peptone water (pH 7.2) and incubated at 4 degrees C for 7-21 days was compared with recovery from 1% peptone water buffered to pH 8.0 and incubated over the temperature range 4-26 degrees C. Best recovery was obtained by use of the alkaline medium incubated at 9 degrees C. Greatest recovery was obtained after incubation for 10-14 days, but most strains (greater than 75%) were recovered after 1 week.