Pseudotuberculosis in man: possible epidemiological role of the cats

Human infection by Malassez and Vignal's bacillus (Yersinia pseudotuberculosis) can take many clinical aspects, the most frequent of which is mesenteric adenitis with pseudoappendicular syndrome, but occasionally also appearing as a tumor of the right lower abdominal quadrant. In a subsequent stage this mesenteric adenitis is often accompanied by erythema nodosum. There also exist some septicemia-like forms, which have become more and more frequent of late, always appearing on a particular terrain (predisposed persons). These various forms all correspond to contamination via the digestive route. Other, more exceptional modes of contamination may result in much rarer forms, such as ocular or pulmonary forms. Diagnosis is based on: (a) demonstrating the presence of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, (b) serodiagnosis, (c) a positive intradermal reaction, (d) the characteristic aspect of lymph node lesions. Pseudotuberculosis is extremely frequent in animals. Many species, most of them rodents or birds, can serve as healthy carriers. This is how cats, through their access to this natural "reservoir", get contaminated and thus act as a "conveyor belt" in transmitting the disease to man.