Isolation of Yersinia enterocolitica from cases of acute appendicitis and ice-cream

Seventy [70] appendiceal specimens and 80 ice-cream samples were analysed to detect Yersinia enterocolitica using three different media. Both Y. enterocolitica and Citrobacter freundii were recovered in appendiceal specimens [17.1% and 8.6%] and ice-cream [26.25% and 18.75%] respectively. Thioglycollate medium was more selective and productive in isolating Yersinia. Y. enterocolitica was the major causative agent of acute appendicitis [11/25, 44%]. It was sensitive to chloramphenicol, gentamicin, tetracycline and trimethoprim- sulfamethoxazole