Yersinia is genus of a Gram-negative bacteria that can cause of range of infections. It is often overshadowed by other more common pathogens, and it can mimic other diseases. It can infect immunocompetent patients but is more severe in patients with defects in host defenses.
Species of Yersinia include:
(1) Y. enterocolitica
(2) Y. pseudotuberculosis
Sources of infection: pork, untreated drinking water, milk, vegetables, juices, ready-to-eat meals, animal contact, blood transfusion.
Incubation: 1 to 11 days
Clinical findings may include:
(1) diarrhea (which may be bloody) with abdominal pain and fever
(2) mesenteric lymphadenitis
(3) terminal ileitis that may mimic Crohn's disease
(4) sepsis
(5) pneumonia
(6) visceral abscess (liver, spleen, other)
(7) reactive oligoarthritis
(8) cellulitis
(9) pseudoappendicitis
Diagnosis is made by demonstration of Yersinia through:
(1) culture
(2) serology
(3) molecular technique
