Phenotypic, Molecular, and Antibiotic Resistance Characteristics of Yersinia bercovieri Isolated from Surface Washes of Beet in 2024

• Date: 2026
• Main Authors: Ushkalov, A.V., Vyhovska, L.M., Ushkalov, V.O., Zelena, L.B., Vishovan, Yu.Yu., Orobchenko, O.L., Ушкалов, А.В., Виговська, Л.М., Ушкалов, В.О., Зелена, Л.Б., Вішован, Ю.Ю., Оробченко, О.Л.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: PH "Akademperiodyka" of the NAS of Ukraine 2026
• Online Access: https://ojs.microbiolj.org.ua/index.php/mj/article/view/349
• Journal Title: Microbiological Journal

The study of field isolates of Yersinia bercovieri is of particular relevance due to the growing global problem of antibiotic resistance and the need for a deeper understanding of the pathogenic properties of the Yersinia genus. These studies can greatly contribute to the development of new approaches to the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of infections caused by this pathogen, as well as to the improvement of biosafety monitoring strategies in the agricultural sector. In this study, the aim was to comprehensively investigate the biological, phenotypic, and molecular genetic properties of a Y. bercovieri isolate isolated from beet surface washings in 2024. Methods. An integrated approach that combined classical methods of bacteriological analysis with modern molecular genetic techniques allowed us to obtain reliable data on the species affiliation, adaptive properties, and potential pathogenicity of the isolate. Results. It was found that the isolated microorganism formed colonies typical for the genus Yersinia on selective nutrient media, showed temperature dependence of motility (mobile at 23 °C, immobile at 37 °C), demonstrated enzymatic activity characteristic of Y. bercovieri, and formed a dense biofilm at 23 °C. Experiments on laboratory animals (white mice) confirmed the pathogenicity of the isolate, which is important for assessing the potential risk to human and animal health. Of particular concern was the detection of multidrug resistance of the isolate to a wide range of antimicrobial agents, which makes it a valuable object for testing the effectiveness of new antimicrobial agents and disinfectants. Species identification of the isolate was confirmed by sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, the results of which were registered in the international GenBank database (NCBI) under the number PQ308372. Conclusions. The data obtained are of high practical value and allow us to recommend Y. bercovieri strain 1/2024 as a standard strain in bacteriological laboratories to ensure the accuracy of yersinia diagnosis, quality control of growth media, differential diagnostic tests, differentiation of field isolates, as well as testing of new therapeutic agents and antimicrobial technologies.