Detection ofYersinia enterocoliticain Retail Chicken Meat, Mashhad, Iran

Poultry meat is one of the most important sources of infection ofYersiniaspp. for humans. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the incidence ofYersinia enterocoliticain chicken meat by using culture method on selective medium and confirmation by PCR assay. Also, biochemical methods were used for biotyping. A total of 100 chicken thigh meat samples were collected randomly from retail outlets in Mashhad, Iran. Samples were enriched in Peptone-Sorbitol-Bile (PSB) broth and then cultured on Cefsulodin-Irgasan-Novobiocin (CIN) agar containing antibiotics supplement. The DNA was extracted from suspected colonies ofYersiniaspp. and then PCR test using specific primers for 16S rRNA gene ofYersinia enterocoliticawas performed. In this study, 30% of chicken meat was contaminated withYersiniaspp. by culture method and 25% of chicken meat was contaminated withYersinia enterocolitica. Biotyping of isolated colonies showed that all of the isolates belonged to biotype 1A. Culture and detection ofYersiniaspp. from food samples traditionally take 4 days. Due to high accuracy and speed of PCR assay, it is a good alternative method for microbiological techniques. In conclusion, poultry meat can act as a source ofY. enterocoliticaand could be considered as a public health hazard.