Yersinia enterocolitica bacteria may be isolated from soil,water,animals,and a variety of foods. The genus Yersinia includes 11 species,3 of which are potentially pathogenic to humans: Y. pestis,Y. pseudotuberculosis,and Y. enterocolitica. Y. enterocolitica is most important as a cause of foodborne illness. Refrigerated foods are potential sources of the bacteria: contamination is possible at the manufacturing site or in the home. This bacterium survives and grows during refrigerated storage. (Enhanced SEM,microscope magnification 8,000x,image width: 16 micrometers. bar: 2 micrometers) |