Shape and Size

bacillus shaped and facultative anaerobe

Genome Information

Yersinia enterocolitica subsp. Enterocolitica 8081, RefSeq NC_008800.1, circular DNA, Size 4.62Mb, GC% 47.3, Protein 3,952, rRNA 22, tRNA 82, Other RNA 40,Gene 4,171, Pseudogene 74 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genome/?term=Yersinia+enterocolitica

Food Source

Contaminated raw or undercooked pork

Pathological Factor

Iron is an important nutrient for the virulent strains of bacteria. The bacteria invade the hosts by destroying the host tissues. This process can be done by two mechanisms, one mediated by the chromosome, the other by the plasmid. Chromosomal action includes secretion of enterotoxin that induces diarrhea or vomiting. Plasmid action depends on antigen and calcium responses of the host cell membrane that allows the bacteria to bind to the host cell. The bacterial genome contains a gene called the inv gene, which produces proteins that signal the invasion of epithelial cells in ileum. This in turn leads to destruction of mucosal layers.

Disease

Yersiniosis

Symptoms

common symptoms are fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, which is often bloody.

Affected Body Organs

stomach and intestines