%0 Journal Article
%T Pathogenesis of Y. enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis in Human Yersiniosis
%A Cristi L. Galindo
%A Jason A. Rosenzweig
%A Michelle L. Kirtley
%A Ashok K. Chopra
%J Journal of Pathogens
%D 2011
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.4061/2011/182051
%X Yersiniosis is a food-borne illness that has become more prevalent in recent years due to human transmission via the fecal-oral route and prevalence in farm animals. Yersiniosis is primarily caused by Yersinia enterocolitica and less frequently by Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. Infection is usually characterized by a self-limiting acute infection beginning in the intestine and spreading to the mesenteric lymph nodes. However, more serious infections and chronic conditions can also occur, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. Y. enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis are both heterogeneous organisms that vary considerably in their degrees of pathogenicity, although some generalizations can be ascribed to pathogenic variants. Adhesion molecules and a type III secretion system are critical for the establishment and progression of infection. Additionally, host innate and adaptive immune responses are both required for yersiniae clearance. Despite the ubiquity of enteric Yersinia species and their association as important causes of food poisoning world-wide, few national enteric pathogen surveillance programs include the yersiniae as notifiable pathogens. Moreover, no standard exists whereby identification and reporting systems can be effectively compared and global trends developed. This review discusses yersinial virulence factors, mechanisms of infection, and host responses in addition to the current state of surveillance, detection, and prevention of yersiniosis. 1. Introduction Yersiniosis is typically a self-limiting, gastrointestinal disease of global concern. However, despite the known association of the causative agents (Y. enterocolitica, YE, and very rarely Y. pseudotuberculosis, YPT) with both gastroenteritis and extraintestinal infections, it remains a poorly understood disease. Sporadic cases are still reported in which food is not suspected as the source of infection, and isolation from contaminated food sources is often problematic. Because yersiniosis is considered relatively uncommon and YE and YPT are ubiquitous, food and water supplies are not regularly monitored for these bacterial pathogens. However, the ability of the yersiniae to persist in a nonculturable but viable state in natural samples [1] and to grow and thrive at refrigeration temperatures (~4ˇăC) suggests that their contribution to disease might be underappreciated. 1.1. YE Infections The major causative agent of yersiniosis is the gram-negative, zoonotic bacterial pathogen, YE, which is typically transmitted via the fecal-oral route [2]. The closely related YPT can
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jpath/2011/182051/