Growing Role of Yersinia Enterocolitica as Food Borne Pathogen

Abstract

Yersinia enterocolitica is a zoonotic and an emerging food pathogen that causes food-transmitted infections in humans. It is transmitted via the fecal-oral route by ingestion of contaminated food or water or by contact with infected animals or people. Yersinia enterocolitica is frequently encountered in healthy animal carriers, among warm- and cold-blooded animals, in foods, and in the environment. The agent has been distributed worldwide but it seems to be found most frequently in cooler climates and it is isolated from animals, man, food, and water. The most common symptoms of yersiniosis are fever and sometimes bloody diarrhea. The disease may also be manifested by enterocolitis, acute mesenteric lymphadenitis and mimicking appendicitis. The agent can be isolated from the patient’s faeces on MacConkey agar and cefsulodina irgasan novobiocin (CIN) medium. Both biotype and serotype should be identified. The cold enrichment technique is useful, particularly in the case of carriers that may excrete few Yersinia enterocolitica cells. Tube serum agglutination and the ELISA test can be used with good results as additional diagnostic techniques. Currently recommended measures to prevent and control the infection are ensuring food hygiene rules and that animal products, particularly pork, are well cooked; and to not drink raw milk or unwholesome water.