Colicin FY is a plasmid encoded toxin that recognizes a yersinia-specific outer membrane protein (YiuR) as a receptor molecule. We have previously shown that the activity spectrum of colicin FY comprises strains of the genus Yersinia. In this study, we analyzed the activity of colicin FY against 110 Yersinia enterocolitica isolates differing in geographical origin and source. All isolates were characterized through analysis of 16S rRNA genes, serotyping, biotyping, restriction profiling of genomic DNA, detection of virulence markers and susceptibility to antibiotics. This confirmed the broad variability of the collection, in which all 110 Y. enterocolitica isolates, representing 77 various strains, were inhibited by colicin FY. Although isolates showed variable levels of susceptibility to colicin FY, it was not associated with any strain characteristic. The universal susceptibility of Y. enterocolitica strains to colicin FY together with the absence of activity towards strains outside the Yersinia genus suggests potential therapeutic applications for colicin FY.

• MeSH
• Drug Resistance, Bacterial drug effects   MeSH
• Virulence Factors genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Genome, Bacterial * MeSH
• Colicins pharmacology   MeSH
• Microbial Sensitivity Tests MeSH
• Yersinia enterocolitica genetics   isolation & purification   metabolism   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Virulence Factors MeSH
• Colicins MeSH

Yersinia spp. was examined in three rivers and two lakes located in the Province of San Luis, Argentina, over a 1-year period. Water samples were concentrated either by Moore's gauze technique or by filtering through diatomaceous earth. Five enrichment media: yeast extract--Bengal rose broth (YER) with bile-oxalate-sorbose broth (BOS); 67 mmol/L phosphate-buffered saline (pH 7.6; PBS); PBS enriched with a 1% mannitol and 1% peptone (PBSMP); PBS with lyzed 0.5% sheep blood (PBSB); Wauters broth (W); and five plating media: Mac Conkey agar (MC); Salmonella--Shigella agar (SS); 5% sheep blood agar (BA); lactose-sucrose-urea agar (LSU) and irgasan-novobiocin agar (IN) were used. The following strains were isolated: Y. intermedia B1 O:4,32-4,33 Lis Xz (four strains), Y. intermedia B1 O:57 Lis Xo (one strain), Y. intermedia B2 O:57 Lis Xo (one strain), Y. enterocolitica B1 O:10-34 Lis Xz (one strain), and Y. frederiksenii undetermined biovar, O:16-16,29 Lis Xz (two strains). The incidence of isolation of Yersinia spp. was 7.14%. YER-BOS proved to be the best enrichment method since it allowed the highest recovering Yersinia spp. strains. Among plating media, the best results were obtained with MC. Apparently, the isolation of Yersinia spp. can be related to environmental variables such as temperature differences between cold and warm seasons. Negative results obtained during virulence assays suggest that isolated strains lack the pathogenic potential against man.

• MeSH
• Culture Media MeSH
• Water Microbiology * MeSH
• Fresh Water MeSH
• Yersinia enterocolitica isolation & purification   MeSH
• Yersinia isolation & purification   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Geographicals
• Argentina MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Culture Media MeSH

Fifty isolates of Yersinia enterocolitica from fresh buffalo milk were screened for the production of bacteriocin using isolates as indicators. Seven isolates (14%) were bacteriocin producers at 22 degrees C which had more bacteriolytic activity at 37 degrees C. Only one isolate produced bacteriocin at both temperatures.

• MeSH
• Bacteriocins metabolism   MeSH
• Buffaloes microbiology   MeSH
• Milk microbiology   MeSH
• Yersinia enterocolitica metabolism   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Bacteriocins MeSH