The interest in the problem of enterоpathogenic yersinioses in the world is associated with the ubiquitous distribution of these infections and the clinical significance of their pathogenic agents, Yersinia enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis. In spite of the novel diagnostic tools, microbiological cultivation on nutrient media still remains the main method of their verification. As an agar of choice, American and European practical guidelines recommend a selective agar for Yersinia, which is widely used in many countries for isolating pathogenic Yersinia from clinical material. The authors compare the differential and diagnostic properties of the base of selective agar with those of the Serov's agar medium, as one of the substrates for Yersinia recommended by the current Russian regulatory documents. Based on the studies conducted, a conclusion has been made that the Serov's agar medium is not inferior to its foreign analogue in the differential and diagnostic properties for identification of enteropathogenic Yersinia.
Keywords: Yersinia enterocolitica; Yersinia pseudotuberculosis; the Serov’s agar medium; the basis of selective agar for Yersinia.