Yersiniosis caused by Yersinia enterocolitica commonly causes sporadic infections in industrialized countries, but may also occur in developing countries. The incidence of Yersinia enterocolitica infections is highest among children under 5 and particular in 1-year-old infants.
Symptoms typically develop four to seven days after exposure and may last one to three weeks or longer. In older children and adults, right-sided abdominal pain and fever may the predominant symptoms, and often confused with appendicitis. Occasionally sepsis may lead to severe post-infection sequence such as reactive arthritis, erythema nodosum, meningitis and endocarditis.
Complications such as skin rash, joint pains or spread of bacteria to the bloodstream can occur.
The infection of Yersiniosis is most often acquired by drinking water contaminated unpasteurized milk or by eating food contaminated with the organism.
Yersiniosis caused by Yersinia enterocolitica
