Identification of Yersinia Species in Raw Chicken Meat in Tehran Retail Stores and Determination of Their Antibiotic Resistance Pattern

Document Type : Original Articles

Authors

1 Department of Bacteriology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

2 Zoonoses Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

3 Department of Pathobiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

10.32598/ARI.81.1.3264

Abstract

Introduction: Yersinia constitutes one of the predominant bacterial agents implicated in foodborne illnesses. The objective of this investigation is to ascertain the presence of Yersinia species in raw chicken meat procured from retail establishments in Tehran, alongside an examination of their antibiotic resistance patterns.
Materials & Methods: Between April and September 2023, a total of 220 chicken meat samples were systematically collected and analyzed for contamination by Yersinia species. Initial isolation was conducted through enrichment in saline phosphate at 4 °C for three weeks, followed by secondary enrichment utilizing 5.0% potassium hydroxide. The resultant samples were subsequently cultured on CIN agar medium. Following performing warm staining and the microscopic observation of gram-negative cocci, biochemical assays were employed to differentiate the strains, and the findings were corroborated using the API 20E kit. Ultimately, antibiotic resistance profiles were established via the agar disk diffusion methodology encompassing seven different antibiotics. 
Results: From 220 chicken meat samples, 12(5.5%) suspect strains of Yersinia were successfully isolated and definitively identified as Yersinia through biochemical testing. Application of the API 20E kit revealed that the isolates comprised the following species: Y. enterocolitica (3 strains), Y. intermedia (5 strains), Y. frederiksenii (2 strains), and Y. kristensenii (2 strains). Notably, all isolated strains exhibited resistance to ampicillin, tetracycline, and cefixime, while remaining sensitive to other antibiotics tested. 
Conclusion: The results of this study indicate the presence of various strains of Yersinia in chicken meat samples across Tehran. Given the emergence of microbial resistance to specific antibiotics, it is imperative that antibiotic usage be managed with judicious strategies.

Keywords

Archives of Razi Institute
Volume 81, Issue 1
January and February 2026
Pages 119-126

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