Yersiniosis infections in the Northern region: epidemiologic analysis and difficulties in clinical diagnosis

Intestinal yersiniosis and pseudotuberculosis (hereinafter referred to as yersinioses) are saprozoanthroponotic infections characterized by a rich and polymorphic clinical picture with signs of predominant gastrointestinal tract involvement, with a tendency to generalization and chronicization, as well as the risk of immunopathological disorders. The diversity of clinical manifestations of the disease can cause misdiagnosis and the choice of incorrect tactics of patient management. Yersiniosis is transmitted by food and water routes; the main vectors of infection are rodents and farm animals, while the main factors of transmission are contaminated vegetables, fruits, and water. We retrospectively analyzed 33 case histories. The patients belonged to the age group from 8 years to 71 years. The disease was observed more frequently in children and young patients, 42.4% and 45.4% of the total cases, respectively, with 30.3% of all cases occurring in children under 14 years of age. The study revealed the diversity of clinical manifestations of the disease in the patients of the presented group, among which such symptoms as fever, hepatomegaly, arthralgias, and defecation disorder come to the fore. The combination of this clinical presentation with a characteristic epidemiologic history can significantly facilitate the diagnosis of yersiniosis, the prescription of appropriate diagnostics, and proper treatment.