Strip-Immunoassay with antigens produced by recombinant techniques for the detection of IgG, IgM or IgA antibodies directed Y. enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis. Detection of species-specific IgG antibodies makes it possible to differentiate between Y. enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis.

The enteropathogenic Yersinia species, Yersinia enterocolitica and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, have a global distribution and have become increasingly important in recent years. These pathogens are transmitted orally either in food (especially meat) or in contaminated water. Typical symptoms of an acute Y. enterocolitica infection are watery, sometimes bloody diarrhoea with abdominal pain, vomiting and fever. With Y. pseudotuberculosis infection, mesenteric lymphadenitis with terminal ileitis can be observed clinically. Since it is difficult to distinguish this clinical picture from appendicitis, it is also referred to as “pseudoappendicitis”. Post infectious complications such as reactive arthritis, erythema nodosum and other rheumatic diseases can occur, especially with HLA-B27 carriers. High and persistent IgA titres against Yersinia antigens are characteristic of these patients.

For the recomLine Yersinia tests, plasmid-encoded virulence proteins localised on the cell surface (Yersinia outer proteins) and adhesins are produced recombinantly in order to differentiate serologically between the species Y. enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis. These proteins are only expressed by Yersinia strains that are pathogenic to humans. The recomLine Yersinia tests make it possible to detect past Yersinia infections, and are thus ideally suited for identification of Yersinia-induced immunopathological complications and chronic yersiniosis. Detection of IgG and IgA antibodies can be a very useful diagnostic tool if Yersinia-induced arthritis is suspected.

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