INCIDENCE OF INTESTINAL DISEASE DUE TO YERSINIA-ENTEROCOLITICA

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 242  (1) , 42-51
Abstract
Enteropathogenic bacteria were identified in 413 of 7054 patients (5.9%) with intestinal disease who were examined at the Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Wurzburg (South Germany), during Nov. 1975-Nov. 1977. Salmonella was most frequently isolated (304 cases = 4.3%), followed by Y. enterocolitica (102 cases = 1.5%). Cases of shigellosis (7 cases) or infections with so-called enteropathogenic serogroups of Escherichia coli (20 cases) were rarely observed. Disease due to Y. enterocolitica occurred in 57 male and 45 female patients. Sixty-two patients were children of less than 15 yr; among them, the age-group of 1-3 yr (31 cases) was most frequently attacked. Mild to severe enteritis was prevalent in 84 cases. Thirteen patients developed pseudoappendictis or abdominal cramps without diarrhea, 3 of whom had appendectomies. One female patient suffered from mild diarrhea followed by fever and arthritis; in 3 other subjects intestinal symptoms were lacking. In the 2 yr the highest incidence of salmonellosis was observed during Aug.-Oct. Most Yersinia cases occurred during Sept.-Dec. At the end of the year (Dec. 1976 and Nov. 1977, respectively) Yersinia enterocolitica became the most important agent of bacterial enteritis. The results are discussed in view of the current Federal German Public Health Regulations.

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