The pathogenic Yersiniae—advances in the understanding of physiology and virulence

Of the ∼16 Yersinia species, only Y. pestis, Y. pseudotuberculosis, and Y. enterocolitica are pathogenic to humans (Koornhof et al., 1999; Smego et al., 1999). The zoonotic obligate pathogen Y. pestis is the causal agent of plague, a systemic disease that is usually fatal if left untreated. Free-living Y. enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis are the agents of yersiniosis, a rarely systemic gastrointestinal disease. At the forefront of Yersinia research are studies of host cell contact, protein secretion, pathogenesis, immunity and the host response, nutrient sensing and sequestration and the control of gene expression. In this special research topic on the pathogenic Yersiniae is a compilation of reviews and research articles that highlight current knowledge and new developments in these areas of Yersinia pathophysiology.