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Pseudotuberculosis
Last reviewed: 05.07.2025
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Pseudotuberculosis is a zoophilic sapronosis with a fecal-oral mechanism of pathogen transmission. This infectious disease has polymorphic clinical symptoms; it manifests itself as intoxication, fever, damage to the gastrointestinal tract, liver, skin, joints and other organs. Yersinia pseudotuberculosis is found throughout the world and is capable of causing infections in humans.
ICD-10 codes
- A28.2. Pseudotuberculosis.
- A04.8. Pseudotuberculous enterocolitis.
Epidemiology of pseudo tuberculosis
Pseudotuberculosis is characterized by a variety of sources and reservoirs of infection. The primary reservoir is soil. The existence of soil and water parasitic systems is associated with the ability of Yersinia to transform into "uncultivated" forms. Secondary reservoirs and sources of infection are 124 species and 18 orders of mammals, 4 species of reptiles, 1 species of amphibians, 7 species of fish. ectoparasites of rodents and birds (fleas, ixodid and gamasid ticks), mosquitoes and horseflies. The main source of Y. pseudotuberculosis is synanthropic, semi-synanthropic and wild rodents, in which pseudotuberculosis occurs in acute and chronic forms with damage to the gastrointestinal tract. House mice often develop generalized forms, causing the death of animals. People are extremely rarely infected through contact with rodents. A person cannot be a source of infection.
The main transmission mechanism is feco-oral. The routes are food and water. The main factors of Y. pseudotuberculosis transmission are vegetables and greens consumed without heat treatment, salting (sauerkraut, pickles, tomatoes), less often - fruits, dairy products and water. Infection is possible by airborne dust through dust contaminated with virulent strains (dry cleaning of premises, sweeping).
Susceptibility and post-infectious immunity as in yersiniosis.
The modern epidemiology of pseudo-tuberculosis differs little from that of yersiniosis. However, the former is more characterized by outbreaks of disease, covering large groups of people with the involvement of all age groups, regardless of gender and profession, and frequent infection of children.
Pseudotuberculosis is a widespread infection in the world, occurring everywhere and unevenly. The overwhelming majority of reports of cases of this disease belong to European countries. Increases in morbidity are recorded in the spring-summer (III-V months), autumn-winter (X-XII months) and summer (V-VII months) periods.
[ What causes pseudo tuberculosis?
Pseudotuberculosis is caused by Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, a gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium with peritrichous flagella, belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family. It does not contain capsules. It does not form spores. It has morphological, cultural and biochemical properties similar to Y. enterocolitica.
Y. pseudotuberculosishas a flagellar (H) antigen, two somatic (O) antigens (S and R) and virulence antigens - V and W. 16 serotypes of Y. pseudotuberculosis or O-groups have been described. Most strains found in Ukraine belong to serotypes I (60-90%) and III (83.2%). O-antigens of the bacterium have antigenic similarity between serotypes within the species and other representatives of the enterobacteria family ( Y. pestis, salmonella groups B and D, Y. enterocolitica 0:8, 0:18 and 0:21), which must be taken into account when interpreting the results of serological studies.
What are the symptoms of pseudo tuberculosis?
Yersinia pseudotuberculosis most often causes mesadenitis, and is also suspected of causing interstitial nephritis, hemolytic uremic syndrome, and scrotalatin-like disease. The pathogen can cause pharyngitis, septicemia, focal infections in many organs, and reactive arthritis. Mortality from septicemia, even despite treatment for pseudotuberculosis, can reach 50%.
Where does it hurt?
How is pseudo tuberculosis diagnosed?
The pathogen can be identified by standard culture studies, provided that the material is collected from normally sterile sites. In the case of non-sterile samples, selective culture methods must be used. Serological studies can be used, but the latter are difficult to perform and are not standardized. To establish a diagnosis of pseudotuberculosis (especially reactive arthritis), a high index of suspicion and close contacts with a clinical laboratory are necessary.
What do need to examine?
How to examine?
What tests are needed?
How is pseudotuberculosis treated?
Pseudotuberculosis is treated with supportive care methods, as the disease is self-limiting. Treatment of septic complications requires the use of beta-lactamase-resistant antibiotics, the choice of which is determined by antibiotic susceptibility testing. Prevention focuses on proper storage and preparation of food, pets, and outbreak epidemiology.