New virulence-associated plasmid in Yersinia enterocolitica

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Abstract
In a study of 103 strains of Y. enterocolitica, 10 strains were found to be lethal for mice and to possess 42- and 82-megadalton plasmids. This association was statistically significant (P .mchlt. 0.001). Serotypes of Y. enterocolitica previously considered avirulent were found to possess these plasmids and to be lethal for mice. A spontaneous derivative of 1 strain contained only the 82-megadalton plasmid and was lethal for mice anyway. This virulence-associated plasmid is a potential diagnostic tool for the clinical or public health laboratory which must delineate pathogenic strains of Y. enterocolitica.