Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Enteric Bacterial Invasion Of Intestinal Epithelial Cells In Vitro Is Dramatically Enhanced Using a Vertical Diffusion Chamber Model
10:52

Enteric Bacterial Invasion Of Intestinal Epithelial Cells In Vitro Is Dramatically Enhanced Using a Vertical Diffusion Chamber Model

Published on: October 22, 2013

Clinical aspects of infection with Yersinia enterocolitica in adults

G F Feeney, P Kerlin, J A Sampson

    Australian and New Zealand Journal of Medicine
    |April 1, 1987
    PubMed

    Insights

    Yersinia enterocolitica is a common cause of adult diarrhea, mimicking appendicitis symptoms. This enteric pathogen can also lead to reactive arthritis in some patients.

    Area of Science:

    • Medical Microbiology
    • Infectious Diseases
    • Gastroenterology

    Background:

    • Yersinia enterocolitica infections are increasingly recognized in adults.
    • Selective culture media have improved the detection of enteric pathogens.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To determine the incidence and clinical significance of Yersinia enterocolitica infections in an adult population.
    • To describe the spectrum of symptoms and complications associated with Yersinia enterocolitica.

    Main Methods:

    • A three-year retrospective study of fecal specimens.
    • Isolation and identification of Yersinia enterocolitica using a selective culture medium.
    • Clinical data review for patients with confirmed Yersinia enterocolitica infection.

    Main Results:

    • Yersinia enterocolitica was isolated from 0.9% of 3795 specimens, ranking as the third most common enteric pathogen.
    • Diarrhea (93%) and abdominal pain (72%) were the most frequent symptoms.
    • Fourteen patients required hospitalization, and four underwent surgery for suspected appendicitis; acute terminal ileitis and mesenteric lymphadenitis were observed.
    • Two HLA-B27 positive patients developed reactive arthritis.

    Conclusions:

    • Yersinia enterocolitica has emerged as a significant cause of infectious diarrhea in adults.
    • The pathogen frequently presents with symptoms mimicking acute appendicitis.
    • Reactive arthritis is a potential complication in HLA-B27 positive individuals.

    More Related Videos

    Analysis of Yersinia enterocolitica Effector Translocation into Host Cells Using Beta-lactamase Effector Fusions12:23

    Analysis of Yersinia enterocolitica Effector Translocation into Host Cells Using Beta-lactamase Effector Fusions

    Published on: October 13, 2015

    Quantifying Yersinia pseudotuberculosis Type III Secretion System Activity Following Iron Starvation and Anaerobic Growth08:36

    Quantifying Yersinia pseudotuberculosis Type III Secretion System Activity Following Iron Starvation and Anaerobic Growth

    Published on: May 31, 2024

    Related Concept Videos

    Stages of Infection01:26

    Stages of Infection

    Stages of infection describe what happens to a susceptible host once a pathogen invades the human body. The stages of infection are incubation, prodromal, illness, stage of decline, and convalescence. The incubation stage is the period from exposure to a pathogen until symptoms start. The infected person is unaware of impending illness as the pathogens grow and multiply within the body. The duration may vary depending on the type of infection. The incubation period of measles averages ten to...
    Reservoir of Infection01:30

    Reservoir of Infection

    Infectious diseases arise from intricate interactions between pathogens and their reservoirs. A reservoir of infection refers to the natural habitat where a pathogen lives, grows, and multiplies, serving as a continual source of infection. Reservoirs are broadly classified as either living or nonliving, and each plays a unique role in disease transmission, significantly influencing public health interventions and control strategies.Humans act as reservoirs for a wide array of pathogens,...
    Plague01:24

    Plague

    Plague is a highly virulent zoonotic disease caused by Yersinia pestis, a Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic coccobacillus. This pathogen primarily circulates among rodent populations and is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected fleas. Additional transmission routes include direct contact with infected animal tissue or inhalation of respiratory droplets from individuals with pneumonic plague. These multiple transmission pathways highlight the bacterium’s potential for rapid...
    Bacterial Gastroenteritis01:18

    Bacterial Gastroenteritis

    Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid receptor...
    Giardiasis01:12

    Giardiasis

    Giardiasis is a globally prevalent intestinal infection caused by the protozoan parasite Giardia duodenalis (also known as G. lamblia or G. intestinalis). This flagellated protozoan is the most frequently identified intestinal parasite in the United States and worldwide. Transmission primarily occurs via the fecal-oral route, with infection arising from ingestion of water or food contaminated with cysts. Individuals in low-resource settings, international travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, daycare...
    Amebiasis01:28

    Amebiasis

    Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. Though a significant proportion of infections remain asymptomatic, approximately 50 million individuals annually are estimated to present with clinical disease, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths globally. The disease burden is disproportionately high in regions with lower socioeconomic status, such as parts of India, Africa, Mexico, and Latin America.Etiology and TransmissionThe infective...