Yersinia enterocolitica infection complicated by intestinal perforation

Yersinia enterocolitica causes primarily ileocolitis in human beings, and is manifested by abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fever. Usually, it is a self-limiting disease. Local or systemic complications are rare. A 71-year-old man with Y enterocolitica colitis complicated by perforation and abscess formation is described. This complication is very rare, and the four other cases that have been reported in the literature are reviewed.