Yersinia enterocolitica and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis

Abstract

Yersinia is one of the most common causes of bacterial enteritis in Western and Northern Europe. It has a worldwide distribution; the incidence of infection is rising within both Europe and the United States, although this may be due to better methods of detection and wider recognition of Yersinia species as important enteric pathogens. Y. enterocolitica (YE) and Y. pseudotuberculosis (YP) are the species that cause human gastrointestinal disease. Yersinia infection can be transmitted by both food and water, and the bacteria is associated with meat, dairy products, chocolate, poultry, and produce. Pork-related infection has been particularly well documented. Infection also can be acquired from animals. Yersinia has a preference for cold temperatures; thus, there is a natural affinity for refrigerated food, and there is speculation that infection is more common in cooler months. Familial, hospital-acquired, transplacental, and transfusion-associated infections also have been well documented.