OBJECTIVETo establish a highly efficient culture method for detecting Yersinia enterocolitica in stool samples from diarrheic patients.

METHODSStool samples collected from 200 diarrheic patients were detected with a modified and 3 conventional methods, and the positivity rates of the bacterium were compared statistically.

RESULTSWith the modified method, 18 positive samples for Yersinia enterocolitica were detected from 200 stool samples, while with the 3 conventional methods, only 3, 5, and 8 positive samples were identified, respectively. Statistical analysis with McNemer test suggested significant difference in the positive detection rate between the modified and the 3 conventional methods.

CONCLUSIONThe modified method for Yersinia enterocolitica detection has much higher sensitivity than the 3 conventional methods, and can be applied in clinical detection.