[Yersinia infection and hemoglobin disorder. Apropos of 4 cases]

The authors report 4 cases of Yersinia enterocolitica (Ye) infection in patients with hemoglobin disorders (3 beta thalassemia major, 1 sickle cell anemia). Patients with hemoglobin disorders are particularly vulnerable to Ye infection. Predisposing factors consist mainly of iron overload and deferoxamine therapy; superinfection with HIV may be an additional factor. The diagnosis is performed by identifying patients at risk and by bacteriologic tests (blood and stool cultures, antibody titers). Therapy includes discontinuation of deferoxamine and initiation of an adequate antibiotic therapy.