title: Evaluation of the ISO 10273:2003 method for the isolation of human pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica from pig carcasses and minced meat.
abstract: Pig carcass swabs (n = 254) and minced meat samples (n = 82) were examined for pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica using different routinely used enrichment protocols. All samples were obtained in the context of the official Yersinia monitoring program in Belgium. In total, 28 carcasses (11.0%) were contaminated with Y. enterocolitica bioserotype 4/O:3 and one (0.4%) with bioserotype 2/O:9. Four minced meat samples (4.9%) tested positive for Y. enterocolitica bioserotype 4/O:3. Using the ISO 10273:2003 method, eight out of the 29 Yersinia-positive carcasses (27.6%) and none of the contaminated minced meat samples (0.0%) were detected. Reducing the enrichment time in PSB from 5 to 2 days increased the number of positive samples. Overall, enrichment in PSB at 25 °C recovered more positive carcasses and minced meat samples than selective enrichment and cold enrichment. As the exclusive use of the ISO 10273:2003 method results in a strong underestimation of Y. enterocolitica positive carcasses and minced meats, efforts are needed to optimize the current version of the ISO method. In addition, isolation of pathogenic Y. enterocolitica requires experience and the use of a stereomicroscope to avoid false negative results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium. inge.vandamme@ugent.be
authors.forename: Inge
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Van Damme
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Berkvens
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Botteldoorn
authors.forename: Katelijne
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dierick
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wits
authors.forename: Brigitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pochet
authors.forename: Lieven
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Zutter
mesh_terms: D000003:Abattoirs; D000818:Animals; D005060:Europe; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis*; D005511:Food Handling; D005516:Food Microbiology / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D059022:Food Safety; D008460:Meat / Q000382:microbiology*; D012703:Serotyping / Q000379:methods*; D013552:Swine; D015008:Yersinia enterocolitica / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*
keywords: Carcass swab; Isolation; Minced meat; Pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica