Deoxyribonucleic acid relatedness in Yersinia enterocolitica and Yersinia enterocolitica-like organisms

Yersinia enterocolitica and Y. enterocolitica-like strains were characterized by DNA relatedness. These strains formed four distinct DNA relatedness groups: (i) the 5 classical biotypes of Y. enterocolitica sensu stricto as designated by Wauters; (ii) strains that are rhamnose positive and also positive in tests for melibiose, α-methyl-d-glucoside, raffinose, and Simmons' citrate; (iii) strains that are rhamnose positive but negative in tests for melibiose, α-methyl-d-glucoside, and raffinose; (iv) sucrose-negative, Voges-Proskauer-negative, trehalose-positive strains.