Contribution à l'étude épidémiologique des infections à Yersinia enterocolitica. I. - Intérêt du traitement automatisé d'une banque de données

Yersinia enterocolitica infections have considerably increased in frequency in recent years. The origin of the human contamination, the relations between chemotypes, serotypes and phagotypes, the natural distribution of this bacteria, are still generally unknownned. The Yersinia National Center has gathered more than 5.000 straines from all over the world in his file. The clinical, epidemiological and bacteriological data referring to 3.700 strains have been computed with S.P.S.S. programmes. The author shows the importance of computer handling of epidemiological data in bacteriology. The role of age, seasons in the onset of the different clinical forms of Y. enterocolitica is reconfirmed. The geographical distribution of particular phagotypes is showed as well as the interrelation between species through the serotypes they harbor. Finally with a Guttman scale analysis a simplified procedure is given to define chemotypes of Y. enterocolitica.