Yersinia is a genus of bacteria that includes various species, some of which can significantly impact human health and cause disease. Here is an overview of how Yersinia interacts with human health:
- Yersiniosis: Yersinia species, such as Y. enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis, are responsible for yersiniosis, a food-borne illness that can cause symptoms like diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fever, and vomiting. Yersiniosis is primarily transmitted through contaminated food, water, or contact with infected animals.1Aziz M, Yelamanchili VS. Yersinia Enterocolitica. [Updated 2022 Jul 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499837/
- Plague: Y. pestis is the causative agent of plague, a severe and potentially fatal infectious disease characterised by fever, chills, weakness, and swollen lymph nodes. Plague is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected fleas or contact with infected animals, particularly rodents.2Titball RW, Hill J, Lawton DG, Brown KA. Yersinia pestis and plague. Biochem Soc Trans. 2003 Feb;31(Pt 1):104-7. doi: 10.1042/bst0310104.3Barbieri R, Signoli M, Chevé D, Costedoat C, Tzortzis S, Aboudharam G, Raoult D, Drancourt M. Yersinia pestis: the Natural History of Plague. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2020 Dec 9;34(1):e00044-19. doi: 10.1128/CMR.00044-19.
- Reactive arthritis: Some Yersinia infections, particularly those caused by Y. enterocolitica, have been associated with reactive arthritis, a condition that can cause joint pain and swelling after infection. This complication is relatively rare and typically resolves over time.4Honda K, Iwanaga N, Izumi Y, Tsuji Y, Kawahara C, Michitsuji T, Higashi S, Kawakami A, Migita K. Reactive Arthritis Caused by Yersinia enterocolitica Enteritis. Intern Med. 2017;56(10):1239-1242. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.56.7888.5J Worley M. Immune evasion and persistence in enteric bacterial pathogens. Gut Microbes. 2023 Jan-Dec;15(1):2163839. doi: 10.1080/19490976.2022.2163839.
- Antibiotic resistance: Yersinia species can develop antibiotic resistance, complicating the treatment of infections. Some strains exhibit multidrug resistance, which necessitates the use of alternative treatments or combination therapy.6Lei C, Kumar S. Yersinia pestis antibiotic resistance: a systematic review. Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2022 Feb;13(1):24-36. doi: 10.24171/j.phrp.2021.0288.7Hulankova R. Higher Resistance of Yersinia enterocolitica in Comparison to Yersinia pseudotuberculosis to Antibiotics and Cinnamon, Oregano and Thyme Essential Oils. Pathogens. 2022 Dec 1;11(12):1456. doi: 10.3390/pathogens11121456.8Jamali H, Paydar M, Radmehr B, Ismail S. Prevalence, characterization, and antimicrobial resistance of Yersinia species and Yersinia enterocolitica isolated from raw milk in farm bulk tanks. J Dairy Sci. 2015 Feb;98(2):798-803. doi: 10.3168/jds.2014-8853.
- Preventing infections: Reducing the risk of Yersinia infections involves proper food handling, thorough cooking of meat, and avoiding contact with potentially contaminated water or animals. In areas where plague is endemic, controlling rodent populations and protecting against flea bites are essential to prevent transmission.9Ong KL, Gould LH, Chen DL, Jones TF, Scheftel J, Webb TH, Mody RK, Mahon BE. Changing epidemiology of Yersinia enterocolitica infections: markedly decreased rates in young black children, Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet), 1996-2009. Clin Infect Dis. 2012 Jun;54 Suppl 5(0 5):S385-90. doi: 10.1093/cid/cis053.10Rahelinirina S, Harimalala M, Rakotoniaina J, Randriamanantsoa MG, Dentinger C, Zohdy S, Girod R, Rajerison M. Tracking of Mammals and Their Fleas for Plague Surveillance in Madagascar, 2018-2019. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2022 Apr 18;106(6):1601–9. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-0974.
In summary, Yersinia bacteria play a significant role in human health, causing foodborne illnesses like yersiniosis and severe conditions such as plague. Understanding and addressing the risks associated with the presence of Yersinia species in your microbiome sample is vital for protecting the delicate balance of your gut microbial ecosystem.
Where to find Yersinia in the Chuckling Goat Gut Microbiome Test
You will find your Yersinia scores in the “Pathogens” report in your Chuckling Goat Gut Microbiome Test results. Guidance on how to work with pathogens like Yersinia will be featured in your Personal Action Plan. Please note that this information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your GP or other qualified health provider if you have any questions about Yersinia.
Synonyms: Yersinia species, Yersinia enterocolitica, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, Yersinia pestis, Yersinia infection
Important disclaimer
The Chuckling Goat Gut Microbiome Handbook is an educational resource built to translate complex science into plain English. The information provided on this page is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your GP or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Always check with your GP for interactions with medications/health conditions before changing your diet or starting to take food supplements.
References
- 1Aziz M, Yelamanchili VS. Yersinia Enterocolitica. [Updated 2022 Jul 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499837/
- 2Titball RW, Hill J, Lawton DG, Brown KA. Yersinia pestis and plague. Biochem Soc Trans. 2003 Feb;31(Pt 1):104-7. doi: 10.1042/bst0310104.
- 3Barbieri R, Signoli M, Chevé D, Costedoat C, Tzortzis S, Aboudharam G, Raoult D, Drancourt M. Yersinia pestis: the Natural History of Plague. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2020 Dec 9;34(1):e00044-19. doi: 10.1128/CMR.00044-19.
- 4Honda K, Iwanaga N, Izumi Y, Tsuji Y, Kawahara C, Michitsuji T, Higashi S, Kawakami A, Migita K. Reactive Arthritis Caused by Yersinia enterocolitica Enteritis. Intern Med. 2017;56(10):1239-1242. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.56.7888.
- 5J Worley M. Immune evasion and persistence in enteric bacterial pathogens. Gut Microbes. 2023 Jan-Dec;15(1):2163839. doi: 10.1080/19490976.2022.2163839.
- 6Lei C, Kumar S. Yersinia pestis antibiotic resistance: a systematic review. Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2022 Feb;13(1):24-36. doi: 10.24171/j.phrp.2021.0288.
- 7Hulankova R. Higher Resistance of Yersinia enterocolitica in Comparison to Yersinia pseudotuberculosis to Antibiotics and Cinnamon, Oregano and Thyme Essential Oils. Pathogens. 2022 Dec 1;11(12):1456. doi: 10.3390/pathogens11121456.
- 8Jamali H, Paydar M, Radmehr B, Ismail S. Prevalence, characterization, and antimicrobial resistance of Yersinia species and Yersinia enterocolitica isolated from raw milk in farm bulk tanks. J Dairy Sci. 2015 Feb;98(2):798-803. doi: 10.3168/jds.2014-8853.
- 9Ong KL, Gould LH, Chen DL, Jones TF, Scheftel J, Webb TH, Mody RK, Mahon BE. Changing epidemiology of Yersinia enterocolitica infections: markedly decreased rates in young black children, Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet), 1996-2009. Clin Infect Dis. 2012 Jun;54 Suppl 5(0 5):S385-90. doi: 10.1093/cid/cis053.
- 10Rahelinirina S, Harimalala M, Rakotoniaina J, Randriamanantsoa MG, Dentinger C, Zohdy S, Girod R, Rajerison M. Tracking of Mammals and Their Fleas for Plague Surveillance in Madagascar, 2018-2019. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2022 Apr 18;106(6):1601–9. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-0974.