Yersinia enterocoliticaGI tract pathogen

Question 1

Yersinia enterocolitica

Answer 1

Yersinia enterocolitica
GI tract pathogen

• GNB, oxidase negative, lactose negative
• Enterobacteriaceae
• 3 species:
  
  • Gastrointestinal disease
    
    • Y. enterocolitica
    • Y. pseudotuberculosis
• Plague
  
  • Yersinia pestis

Question 2

Yersinia - gastrointestinal illness

Answer 2

Yersinia - gastrointestinal illness

• Y.enterocolitica & Y.pseudotuberculosis
  
  • GNB, oxidase negative, lactose-negative
  • Bipolar-staining *
  • Motile at 25ºC (not at 37ºC) *
  • Multiplies in cold environments *
• Reservoirs:
  
  • zoonotic
• Transmission: fecal-oral route
• Unpasteurized milk, Pork *
• Prominent in cold regions (Scandinavia, Michigan)

Question 3

Enterocolitis

Answer 3

Enterocolitis

Yersinia - gastrointestinal illness

• Enterocolitis
• Yersinia is an uncommon cause of enterocolitis in the US
• Fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea (maybe bloody) *
• Ulcerative lesions in ileum, Peyers patches and enlargement of lymph nodes
• In addition - appendicitis-like symptoms * may arise with infections with Y.pseudotuberculosis
  
  • Right lower quadrant tenderness, leukocytosis
• Post-infective sequelae – Reactive arthritis *

Question 4

Yersinia - gastrointestinal illness diagnosis and illness

Answer 4

Yersinia - gastrointestinal illness

diagnosis and illness

• Diagnosis:
  
  • Stool culture, 25oC, cold enrichment *
• Treatment:
  
  • Usually supportive
  • Can use fluoroquinolones, TMP-SMX *
  • **For immunocompromised – 3rd generation cephalosporins **