Yersinia enterocolitica Infection Simulating Lymphoproliferative Disease, after Liver Transplant

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Gastroenterology
• Infectious Diseases
• Transplant Medicine

Background:

• Biliary atresia is a serious condition requiring liver transplantation in pediatric patients.
• Post-transplant complications can be diverse and challenging to diagnose.
• Prolonged, unexplained febrile illness necessitates a thorough diagnostic workup.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of Yersinia enterocolitica infection mimicking other conditions in a liver transplant recipient.
• To highlight the importance of considering infectious etiologies in post-transplant patients with non-specific symptoms.
• To emphasize the diagnostic challenges and eventual resolution of such cases.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 14-year-old girl post-liver transplantation.
• Clinical presentation including fever, fatigue, splenomegaly, and lymphadenopathy.
• Comprehensive laboratory and imaging investigations to rule out common post-transplant complications, autoimmune diseases, and malignancies.

Main Results:

• The patient presented with significant fever, fatigue, and splenomegaly.
• Extensive workup for infectious, autoimmune, and malignant causes was negative.
• Yersinia enterocolitica infection was ultimately diagnosed.
• The patient experienced a full recovery after 5 months.

Conclusions:

• Yersinia enterocolitica can present with non-specific symptoms mimicking other serious conditions in immunocompromised patients.
• A high index of suspicion and broad differential diagnosis are crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment.
• Self-limited infectious etiologies should be considered even in complex post-transplant scenarios.