What disease is caused by Yersinia enterocolitica?

Yersinia enterocolitica is a gram-negative bacillus shaped bacterium that causes a zoonotic disease called yersiniosis. The infection is manifested as acute diarrhea, mesenteric adenitis, terminal ileitis, and pseudoappendicitis. In rare cases, it can even cause sepsis.

Does Enterobacteriaceae have Yersinia?

Yersinia spp. are members of the Enterobacteriaceae. They are short, pleomorphic Gram-negative rods or coccobacilli, which often exhibit bipolar staining. Yersinia pestis is nonmotile.

Where does Yersinia enterocolitica live?

Yersinia enterocolitica is a bacterium that can be found in animals such as pigs, birds, beavers, cats and dogs, and has been detected in environmental sources such as soil and water (e.g., ponds and lakes). It is not part of the normal human flora.

How is Yersinia enterocolitica diagnosed?

The following tests can be used in the diagnosis of Y enterocolitica infection:

1. Stool culture – This is the best way to confirm a diagnosis of Y enterocolitica [2, 3] ; the culture result is usually positive within 2 weeks of onset of disease.
2. Tube agglutination.
3. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.
4. Radioimmunoassays.

Who is most at risk for Yersinia enterocolitica?

Y. enterocolitica infections occurred more frequently in boys and men than in girls and women, with mean annual incidences of 8.0/100,000 population and 6.5/100,000 population, respectively. Children were more frequently affected than adults.

Is Yersinia serious?

How common is yersiniosis? CDC estimates that infections with Yersinia enterocolitica cause almost 117,000 illnesses, 640 hospitalizations, and 35 deaths in the United States every year. Children are infected more often than adults, and the infection is more common in the winter.

How did I get Yersinia?

How do people get yersiniosis? Most people become infected by eating contaminated food, especially raw or undercooked pork, or through contact with a person who has prepared a pork product, such as chitlins.

How do you treat Yersinia?

Yersiniosis usually goes away on its own without antibiotic treatment. However, antibiotics may be used to treat more severe or complicated infections.

What does Yersinia enterocolitica do to your body?

When a Y enterocolitica infection is present, it not only causes an inflamed small intestine and colon, but also symptoms such as diarrhea and a fever. A child with this infection may have stools that contain blood and mucus. These symptoms may last for 1 to 3 weeks, sometimes longer.

Can Yersinia come back?

Yersinia enterocolitica and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis are bacterial infections that are uncommon, but can cause problems when they occur. Y enterocolitica causes a condition called enterocolitis, which is an inflammation of the small intestine and colon that occurs, and often recurs, mostly in young children.

How do I get rid of Yersinia?

Is there a cure for Yersinia pestis?

Aminoglycosides: streptomycin and gentamicin Streptomycin is the most effective antibiotic against Y. pestis and the drug of choice for treatment of plague, particularly the pneumonic form (2-6).