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Yersiniosis
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Yersiniosis (syn.: intestinal yersiniosis, English Yersiniosis) is a zoophilic sapronosis with a fecal-oral mechanism of pathogen transmission. It is characterized by the development of intoxication syndrome, predominantly gastrointestinal tract damage, and in the generalized form - multiple organ damage. It has a tendency to exacerbations, relapses and chronicity. Yersinia enterocolitica is found throughout the world and is capable of causing infections in humans.
Epidemiology of yersiniosis
The natural reservoir for Yersinia is soil. Animals and birds are considered a secondary reservoir and source of infection. The main ones are rodents, farm animals (e.g. pigs, cattle, rabbits), birds and domestic animals (cats, dogs).
The main mechanism of transmission of yersiniosis is feco-oral. A person becomes infected by drinking water and food contaminated with yersinia (vegetables, milk, dairy products). In areas with a hot climate, about 80% of all outbreaks are associated with drinking contaminated water. Cases of yersiniosis after transfusion of infected blood have been described.
Susceptibility is high. Risk groups include people working in livestock farming, poultry farming and food service facilities. IIP among the population in different regions is 10-20%. Post-infection immunity is intraspecific.
Yersiniosis is registered everywhere. Most often - in Western and Northern European countries, in Great Britain, the USA, Canada, Japan and Russia, less often - in Africa, Asia, South America and Eastern Europe. The rise begins in March and continues for 4-5 months, sharply decreasing by August and increasing again at the end of the year.
[ What causes yersiniosis?
Yersiniosis is caused by the gram-negative bacillus Yersinia enterocolitica of the Enterobacteriaceae family. Yersinia enterocolitica is a heterotrophic facultative anaerobic microorganism with psychrophilic and oligotrophic properties. It grows on "starvation" media and on media with a depleted composition. It remains viable in a wide temperature range: from 40 to -30 ° C. The optimum temperature for growth is 22-28 ° C. It actively reproduces in household refrigerators and vegetable stores (from 4 to -4 ° C). Its metabolism is oxidative and fermentative. It has weak urease activity. There are 76 known serotypes of Y. enterocolitica, of which only 11 cause disease in humans.
Pathogens
What are the symptoms of yersiniosis?
Yersinia enterocolitica is a common cause of diarrhea and mesadenitis. The pathogen can cause pharyngitis, septicemia, focal infections in many organs, and reactive arthritis. Mortality from septicemia, even despite treatment for yersiniosis, can reach 50%.
Where does it hurt?
How is yersiniosis diagnosed?
Yersinia enterocolitica can be identified by standard culture studies, provided that the material is collected from normally sterile sites. For nonsterile samples, selective culture techniques are necessary. Serologic studies are possible, but the latter are difficult to perform and are not standardized. A high index of suspicion and close contacts with the clinical laboratory are necessary to establish a diagnosis of yersiniosis (especially reactive arthritis).
What do need to examine?
How to examine?
What tests are needed?
How is yersiniosis treated?
Treatment of diarrhea is supportive, as yersiniosis ends in recovery. Treatment of yersiniosis and septic complications requires the use of beta-lactamase-resistant antibiotics, the choice of which is determined by antibiotic sensitivity testing.
How to prevent yersiniosis?
Yersiniosis can be prevented by properly storing and preparing food and caring for pets.
Specific prevention of yersiniosis has not been developed.
Non-specific prevention is carried out in several directions:
- implementation of broad health education work among the population;
- compliance with sanitary and hygienic rules at food and beverage facilities, water supply sources, water supply and sewerage systems and in populated areas;
- constant veterinary control;
- carrying out deratization in fields, warehouses, livestock farms, vegetable storage facilities, shops, and canteens at least twice a year;
- compliance with anti-epidemic measures when caring for patients with yersiniosis and hygiene rules when caring for animals.