Yersiniosis as a surgical disease

An infection with Yersinia strains may develop with the picture of acute appendicitis. Laparotomy will then not reveal an acutely inflamed appendix, but will often show mesenteric lymphadenitis or acute terminal ileitis. These conditions have been observed in four patients. The differential diagnostic possibilities are discussed. It is pointed out that acute terminal ileitis is practically never transformed into chronic terminal ileitis (Crohn's disease).