THE EFFECT OF ANAEROBIC ATMOSPHERES ON THE STABILITY OF THE VIRULENCE-RELATED CHARACTERISTICS IN YERSINIA-ENTEROCOLITICA

This report presents information on the stability of the virulence plasmid in Yersinia enterocolitica under different anaerobic atmospheres. Exposure of plasmid-bearing virulent cells both in growing and stationary phases to anaerobic atmospheres consisting of 80% N2 plus 20% H2; 94% CO2 plus 6% H2 or under vacuum for 24 h at 28°C did not lead to the loss of the virulence plasmid from these cells. Virulence assays using crystal violet binding, low-calcium response, Congo red uptake, and hydrophobicity by latex particle agglutination, indicated that the cells were still virulent. © 1993 Academic Press Limited.