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Zoonotic Yersinia enterocolitica in Swine: One Health Implications for Food Safety and Public Health
by
, , , , , , and
Sónia Saraiva
1,2,3,*
,
Juan García-Díez
1,2,3,*,
Telma de Sousa
4,5,6,7,
Rita Calouro
2,5,
Diana Fernandes
5,
Ana V. Mourão
5,
Cristina Saraiva
1,2,3
,
João R. Mesquita
8,
Ana C. Coelho
1,2,3
and
Patrícia Poeta
1,2,3,5
1
Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
2
Animal and Veterinary Research Center (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
3
Associate Laboratory of Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
4
Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
5
Microbiology and Antibiotic Resistance Team (MicroART), University of Trás-os Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
6
Functional Genomics and Proteomics Unit, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
7
Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry, University NOVA of Lisbon, 1099-085 Caparica, Portugal
8
School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), Porto University, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(9), 795; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12090795 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 1 July 2025
/
Revised: 9 August 2025
/
Accepted: 18 August 2025
/
Published: 23 August 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Bacterial Pathogens in Veterinary Medicine)
Simple Summary
This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of Yersinia enterocolitica in pigs, with a specific focus on its transmission pathways and associated risk factors. Y. enterocolitica is a foodborne bacterium commonly found in pigs, which can spread to humans through contaminated pork. It carries several genes that help it cause disease and resist the immune system. The pathogen is difficult to control due to its ability to survive at low temperatures and its silent presence in healthy pigs. Improving farm hygiene, slaughterhouse practices, and surveillance is crucial to reducing its impact. A One Health approach that connects animal, food, and human health is essential. Future solutions may include vaccines or bacteriophage treatments to prevent infections more effectively.
Abstract
Y. enterocolitica is a cold-tolerant, foodborne pathogen that poses a significant risk to public health, with pigs identified as its main reservoir. This review explores the current knowledge on the epidemiology, transmission, and virulence of Y. enterocolitica in pigs, highlighting their central role in spreading the bacterium to humans—primarily through the consumption of raw or undercooked pork. The pathogen is frequently found in pig tonsils and intestines and can contaminate meat during slaughter. Among the various strains, bioserotype 4/O:3 is the most common cause of human illness. Y. enterocolitica carries a diverse set of virulence genes, such as ail, yst, inv, and yad, and evades immune responses. The review also covers major outbreaks, risk factors on farms and in slaughterhouses, and the limitations of current surveillance systems. Reducing the impact of Y. enterocolitica requires a One Health approach linking animal health, food safety, and public health.
