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Yersinia enterocolitis in iron overload
Insights
A child with thalassemia intermedia and iron overload developed Yersinia infection, possibly worsened by desferrioxamine. Discontinuing this treatment and using antibiotics is recommended for children with iron overload.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Hematology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Iron overload is a common complication in thalassemia intermedia.
- Patients with iron overload may be susceptible to bacterial infections.
- Desferrioxamine is a chelating agent used to treat iron overload.
Abstract:
Yersinia enterocolitis with peritonitis and septicaemia developed in a 4-year-old child with thalassemia intermedia and iron overload. It is likely that the illness was exacerbated by continued administration of desferrioxamine, a bacterial siderophore, which facilitated systemic spread of Yersinia. It is recommended that Yersinia enterocolitis be considered in children with iron overload and that desferrioxamine be discontinued and prophylactic antibiotics be administered while Yersinia is sought.