[Yersinia enterocolitis--report of two cases]

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Terminal ileitis, inflammation of the final section of the small intestine, can present with diverse etiologies.
• Yersinia enterocolitica (Y.e.) is a bacterial pathogen known to cause gastrointestinal infections, sometimes mimicking other conditions.

Observation:

• Two patients presented with abdominal pain, a common symptom prompting medical evaluation.
• Diagnostic imaging (X-ray) and endoscopic procedures were performed to investigate the cause of the abdominal pain.
• Serial examinations revealed progressive changes in the terminal ileum, including edema, mucosal coarseness, and varioliform lesions.

Findings:

• Stool cultures confirmed the presence of Yersinia enterocolitica (Y.e.) as the causative agent in both cases.
• The observed pathological changes during endoscopy and X-ray were consistent with Yersinia-induced terminal ileitis.
• The temporal progression of lesions highlights the inflammatory response to Y.e. infection.

Implications:

• This report underscores the importance of considering Yersinia enterocolitica in the differential diagnosis of terminal ileitis, especially in patients with compatible symptoms.
• Accurate identification of Y.e. is crucial for appropriate treatment and management of infectious ileitis.
• Understanding the endoscopic and radiological features associated with Y.e. infection can aid in earlier diagnosis and intervention.