Yersinia enterocolitica: observations on some growth characteristics and response to selective agents.

A broth medium which provided for optimum growth of Yersinia enterocolitica was formulated. In this medium Y. enterocolitica grew best at pH 7.6-7.9 and 32 degrees C with a generation time of 33-39 min depending upon the strain. Examination of various chemicals as potential selective agents in an agar medium showed a high tolerance for surface-active agents, but cetrimide, 4-nitrophenol, potassium tellurite, and sodium azide were inhibitory at very low concentrations. Irgasan was tolerated at concentrations inhibitory to some other Enterobacteriaceae. Minimum inhibitory concentrations for 57 antibacterial agents tested against 18 strains suggested that carbenicillin, novobiocin, and SCE-129 (cefsulodin) might serve as useful agents for selective isolation of Y. enterocolitica.