[Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infections. Etiologic clarification using fecal cultures]

Isolation of the causative organism in stool proved the aetiology of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis in two patients. In a 12-year-old boy the clinical picture was of appendicitis. After appendicectomy the histological findings provided the diagnosis. The second patient, a 2-year-old girl, had protracted enteritis, completely cured by a course of cotrimoxazole. Culturing of Y. pseudotuberculosis from stool has previously been very rare. But new methods of culturing and other recent advances provide a better chance of success. Isolation of the organism in the acute stage of the disease should be attempted both from stool and from any biopsy material obtained during operation.