Transmission of Yersinia enterocolitica 4/O:3 to pets via contaminated pork

• Published in: Letters in applied microbiology Vol. 32; no. 6; pp. 375 - 378
• Main Authors: Fredriksson‐Ahomaa, M., Korte, T., Korkeala, H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford UK Blackwell Science Ltd 01.06.2001; Blackwell Science
• Subjects: Animals; Bacteriology; Biological and medical sciences; Cat Diseases - microbiology; Cat Diseases - transmission; Cats; Dog Diseases - microbiology; Dog Diseases - transmission; Dogs; Epidemiology; Food Contamination; Food Microbiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Meat Products - microbiology; Microbiology; Yersinia enterocolitica; Yersinia enterocolitica - pathogenicity; Yersinia Infections - transmission; Yersinia Infections - veterinary; Fissipedia; Carnivora; Transmission; Meat product; Epidemiology; Infection; Yersinia enterocolitica; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Pathogenic; Cat; Bacteriosis; Bacteria; Dog; Pork; Yersiniosis; Enterobacteriaceae
• ISSN: 0266-8254; 1472-765X; 1365-2673
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1472-765X.2001.00922.x

Aims: This study was conducted to investigate sources of Yersinia enterocolitica 4/O:3 infections in dogs and cats. Methods and Results: Transmission of Y. enterocolitica 4/O:3 to pets via contaminated pork was studied using PFGE with NotI, ApaI and XhoI enzymes. A total of 132 isolates, of which 16 were from cat and dog faeces and 116 from raw pork samples, were recovered in Finland during 1998–99. Cat 1, whose diet consisted mostly of raw pig hearts and kidneys, excreted Y. enterocolitica 4/O:3 of genotype G4. This predominant genotype was also found in isolates recovered from the pig heart, liver, kidney, tongue and ear, and minced pork samples. Dog 2, which was fed raw minced pork, excreted Y. enterocolitica of genotype G13. This genotype was also identified in isolates recovered from the pig heart, kidney and tongue, and minced pork samples. Conclusions: These results show that raw pork can be an important source of Yersinia enterocolitica 4/O:3 infections in dogs and cats. Significance and Impact of the Study: Raw pork should not be given to pets.