Yersinia enterocolitica infection risk factors

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

• Infection is most often acquired by eating contaminated food, especially raw or undercooked pork products. The preparation of raw pork intestines (chitterlings) may be particularly risky.
• Infants can be infected if their caretakers handle raw chitterlings and then do not adequately clean their hands before handling the infant or the infant’s toys, bottles, or pacifiers.
• Drinking contaminated unpasteurized milk or untreated water can also transmit the infection. Occasionally Y. enterocolitica infection occurs after contact with infected animals. On rare occasions, it can be transmitted as a result of the bacterium passing from the stools or soiled fingers of one person to the mouth of another person. This may happen when basic hygiene and handwashing habits are inadequate.
• Rarely, the organism is transmitted through contaminated blood during a transfusion.
• Y. enterocolitica is a relatively infrequent cause of diarrhea and abdominal pain.

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