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Intestinal obstruction complicating Yersinia enterocolitica serotype O:21 infection in an infant

Areej Mufti1, Nawal A Al Kaabi, Steven Z Rubin

  • 1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Ottawa, Canada.

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
|December 24, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Yersinia enterocolitica infection can rarely cause intestinal obstruction. This case highlights a severe presentation in an infant linked to a specific pathogenic strain, Y. enterocolitica O:21.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Yersinia enterocolitica (Y. enterocolitica) infections typically cause gastroenteritis.
  • Intestinal obstruction is a rare but serious complication of Y. enterocolitica infection, particularly in infants.

Observation:

  • An 11-month-old infant presented with enterocolitis and subsequent intestinal obstruction.
  • Yersinia enterocolitica serotype O:21 was identified in the patient's stool.
  • This serotype has been previously associated with severe disease manifestations.

Findings:

  • The case demonstrates a link between Y. enterocolitica serotype O:21 and complicated intestinal obstruction in an infant.
  • The clinical presentation suggests a more pathogenic potential for this specific Y. enterocolitica strain.

Implications:

  • Unusual or severe presentations of yersiniosis may indicate infection with more virulent Y. enterocolitica strains.
  • Early recognition of complicated yersiniosis is crucial for timely intervention in pediatric patients.
  • Further research into the pathogenicity of different Y. enterocolitica serotypes is warranted.

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