What is a key feature of Yersinia pestis in culture?

Yersinia pestis is characterized by the formation of small, pinpoint colonies on sheep blood agar (SBA). This colony morphology is significant in distinguishing it from other, more virulent members of the Enterobacteriaceae family. When cultured under appropriate conditions, Yersinia pestis creates colonies that can be described as tiny and opaque rather than large and spreading.

The observation of pinpoint colonies is crucial in clinical microbiology since this morphology can guide microbiologists towards identifying the organism, especially when dealing with specimens from patients suspected to have plague. A definitive diagnosis typically involves further testing beyond colony morphology.

In the context of the other choices, Yersinia pestis does not exhibit a swarming behavior on SBA, which is characteristic of certain species like Proteus. It does not produce a bright red pigment, as some other pathogens do. Additionally, Yersinia pestis is known not to ferment sorbitol, but that endpoint is less frequently used as a primary identificatory feature in culture than its colony morphology. The pinpoint colonies it forms on SBA are a key feature indicative of its presence in a clinical sample.