[Prevalence of human pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica in pigs]

Abstract

Pigs have been identified as the main reservoir of human pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica. In this prevalence study, pathogenic Y. enterocolitica strains were isolated from 13 (9.3%) of 140 samples of porcine tonsils and from 5 (3.3%) of 150 samples of pig faeces. These prevalence percentages are lower than those reported in an earlier study. Good hygienic slaughter practices are essential to prevent the contamination of pork with pathogenic Y. enterocolitica and consequently to minimize the risk of human yersiniosis.