ISOLATES OF YERSINIA-ENTEROCOLITICA FROM CLINICAL CASES IN NORTHERN ISRAEL

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  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • review article
    • Vol. 14  (10) , 1048-1055
Abstract
Bacteriologic data and some clinical and epidemiologic aspects concerning 53 clinical cases associated with Y. enterocolitica are described. This is the 1st published report of human cases of Y. enterocolitica infection in Israel. Seventy-eight isolates of Y. enterocolitica were obtained from stool cultures of these cases, with 94% on SS agar plates. The isolation of the organism, including its differentiation from related bacteria, is discussed. In 88% of 50 cases, the organisms were of serotype 0:3, biotype 4, phage type VIII and in 12%, serotype 0:1, 2a, 3, biotype 3, phage type XI. Sensitivity in vitro to antibacterial drugs and evaluation of the serologic diagnosis are also considered. With 2 exceptions, all 53 patients had acute enteritis, clinically similar to shigellosis. The cases came from towns and villages throughout northern Israel and were detected from July 1976 to Nov. 1977. Children under 5 yr of age were 76% of the cases. Five cases appeared in 2 small institutional outbreaks. Infection probably occurs in other parts of the country as well and difficulty in laboratory diagnosis is the reason for the lack of reported cases.