How Yersinia enterolytica infection occurs

Occurrence: Y. enterolytica is widely distributed in the terrestrial environment and in lake, well and stream waters, which are sources of warm-blooded animals. It is more animals adapted and is found more often among human isolates than the other species.

Animals from which Y. enterolytica has been isolated include cats, birds, dogs, beavers, guinea pigs, rats, camels, horses, chickens, deer, cattle, swine, fish and oysters. It is widely believed that swine constitutes the single most common source of Y. enterolytica in humans.

In addition to gastroenteritis, this organism has been associated with human pseudoappendicitis, mesenteric lymphadenitis, reactive arthritis, colon and neck abscesses and cholecystis. It has been recovered from urine, blood, cerebrospinal fluid and the eyes of infected individuals. It is also recovered from the stools of gastroenteritis victims.