[Hepatic abscess due to Yersinia in a child with thalassemia]

A 15-year-old boy with thalassaemia major treated with desferrioxamine, experienced fever associated with digestive disorders. These symptoms led to the discovery of multiple liver abscesses. Therapy included antibiotics (third generation cephalosporin and aminoglycoside) and desferrioxamine discontinuation. Recovery occurred within one month approximately. Systemic yersiniosis was further confirmed by the finding of antibodies to Yersinia enterocolitica O5. The systemic diffusion of Yersinia is favoured by iron-overload and iron-chelating agents.