Y. enterocolitica belongs to a family of rod-shaped bacteria. Other species of bacteria in this family include Y. pseudotuberculosis, which causes an illness similar to Y. enterocolitica, and Y. pestis, which causes plague. Only a few strains of Y. enterocolitica cause illness in humans. The major animal reservoir for Y. enterocolitica strains that cause human illness is pigs, but other strains are also found in many other animals including rodents, rabbits, sheep, cattle, horses, dogs, and cats. In pigs, the bacteria are most likely to be found on the tonsils.

Yersiniosis is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium of the genus Yersinia. In the United States, most human illness is caused by one species, Y. enterocolitica.

Based on data from the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet), which measures the burden and sources of specific diseases over time, approximately one culture-confirmed Y. enterocolitica infection per 100,000 persons occurs each year.

Infection with Y. enterocolitica occurs most often in young children.

Many laboratories do not routinely test for Y. enterocolitica,so it is important to notify laboratory personnel when infection with this bacterium is suspected so that special tests can be done.

Y. enterocolitica infections are generally diagnosed by detecting the organism in the stools. The organism can also be recovered from other sites, including the throat, lymph nodes, joint fluid, urine, bile, and blood.

Uncomplicated cases of diarrhea due to Y. enterocolitica usually resolve on their own without antibiotic treatment.

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