Yersinia Enterocolitica Medication

  • Author: Zartash Zafar Khan, MD; Chief Editor: Burke A Cunha, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jan 12, 2012
 

Medication Summary

Treatment of Y enterocolitica infection is usually supportive and directed at maintaining euvolemia. Antibiotics may be used in some cases. Septicemia carries a high mortality rate and should therefore be treated with antibiotics.

Y enterocolitica is usually susceptible in vitro to aminoglycosides, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, piperacillin, ciprofloxacin, and third-generation cephalosporins. Isolates are often resistant to penicillin, ampicillin, and first-generation cephalosporins, as the organism often produces beta-lactamase. Clinical failure with cefotaxime has been reported.[19] Resistance to macrolides and fluoroquinolones is sporadically reported.[20] Clinically, Y enterocolitica infection responds well to aminoglycosides, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, ciprofloxacin, and doxycycline.

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Antibiotics

Class Summary

The value of antibiotic therapy in uncomplicated acute colitis and mesenteric adenitis is not established.

Antibiotic therapy may be required in patients with septicemia, with focal extraintestinal manifestations, and in immunocompromised patients with enterocolitis.

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Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)

 

Second-generation quinolone. Acts by interfering with DNA gyrase, inhibiting relaxation of supercoiled DNA, and promoting breakage of double-stranded DNA. It is bactericidal. Highly active against gram-negative and gram-positive organisms.

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Sulfamethoxazole (SMZ) and trimethoprim (TMP) (Bactrim, Septra)

 

Combination antibiotic. Inhibits bacterial growth by inhibiting synthesis of dihydrofolic acid.

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Ceftriaxone (Rocephin)

 

Third-generation cephalosporin with gram-negative activity.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Zartash Zafar Khan, MD  Infectious Disease Consultant

Zartash Zafar Khan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians, American Medical Association, Infectious Diseases Society of America, and International Society for Infectious Diseases

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Michelle R Salvaggio, MD, FACP  Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine; Medical Director of Infectious Diseases Institute, Director, Clinical Trials Unit, Director, Ryan White Programs, Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center; Attending Physician, Infectious Diseases Consultation Service, Infectious Diseases Institute, OU Medical Center

Michelle R Salvaggio, MD, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians and Infectious Diseases Society of America

Disclosure: Merck Honoraria Speaking and teaching

Mark H Johnston, MD  Associate Professor of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences; Consulting Staff, Lancaster Gastroenterology Inc

Mark H Johnston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians, American Gastroenterological Association, and Christian Medical & Dental Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Gregory J Martin, MD  Director, Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Program (IDCRP) Associate Professor of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD

Gregory J Martin, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Physicians, American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, and Infectious Diseases Society of America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Thomas E Herchline, MD  Professor of Medicine, Wright State University, Boonshoft School of Medicine; Medical Director, Public Health, Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio

Thomas E Herchline, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, Infectious Diseases Society of America, and Infectious Diseases Society of Ohio

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Richard B Brown, MD, FACP  Chief, Division of Infectious Diseases, Baystate Medical Center; Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine

Richard B Brown, MD, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Physicians, American Medical Association, American Society for Microbiology, Infectious Diseases Society of America, and Massachusetts Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Eleftherios Mylonakis, MD  Clinical and Research Fellow, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital

Eleftherios Mylonakis, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Advancement of Science, American College of Physicians, American Society for Microbiology, and Infectious Diseases Society of America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Burke A Cunha, MD  Professor of Medicine, State University of New York School of Medicine at Stony Brook; Chief, Infectious Disease Division, Winthrop-University Hospital

Burke A Cunha, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Physicians, and Infectious Diseases Society of America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

This article was reviewed by Michelle R. Salvaggio, MD, FACP, Assistant Professor, Associate Fellowship Director of Infectious Diseases, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center.

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous coauthor Brooks D Cash, MD, FACP, to the development and writing of this article.

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