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Yersinia enterocolitica infection mimicking surgical conditions

Chryssoula Perdikogianni1, Emmanouil Galanakis, Michael Michalakis

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Heraklion, Crete, Greece. perdiko@med.uoc.gr

Pediatric Surgery International
|June 14, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Yersinia enterocolitica infections in children can mimic surgical emergencies like appendicitis. This review highlights the importance of considering Yersinia enteritis in the differential diagnosis of acute abdominal conditions in pediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Yersinia enteritis can cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms.
  • Some cases may initially present with signs suggestive of surgical conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review pediatric cases initially diagnosed with surgical conditions but found to have Yersinia enterocolitica infection.
  • To assess the clinical presentation and outcomes of these pediatric patients.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of children under 14 years old with Yersinia enterocolitica-positive stool cultures from 1993-2004.
  • Focus on hospitalized children, particularly those admitted to the Pediatric Surgery Department.

Main Results:

  • 71 children had Yersinia enterocolitica enteritis; 44 were hospitalized, and 6 were admitted to Pediatric Surgery.
  • Four pediatric surgery patients presented with symptoms mimicking appendicitis but did not require surgery.
  • Other surgical admissions included vomiting and a perianal abscess; all patients had excellent outcomes with antibiotics.

Conclusions:

  • Yersinia enterocolitica enteritis can infrequently mimic appendicitis and other surgical emergencies in children.
  • It is crucial to include Yersinia enteritis in the differential diagnosis for pediatric patients presenting with an acute abdomen.

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