title: Yersinia enterocolitica infection in children.
abstract: The clinical presentation, course and outcome of Yersinia enterocolitica infection was studied prospectively in 125 children. Enteric forms occurred in 114 children (92 enteritis, 20 pseudoappendicitis, 2 chronic ileitis), of whom 17 also had extramesenteric manifestations; 11 children had one or more extramesenteric forms without enteric disease. Enteritis occurred more frequently in young children whereas serious forms and extramesenteric forms were more common in children older than 6 years of age (P < 0.001). Arthritis was observed in 13 children and extensive lymphadenopathy in 11; 1 child had septicemia with pleurisy, 1 had vasculitis, 1 had cholecystitis and 4 had erythema nodosum. Diagnosis was established by positive culture in 100 (80%) children and by agglutinin test in 11 of 45 (24%), demonstration of circulating specific anti-IgA and anti-IgG to Yersinia outer membrane proteins in 47 of 48 (98%) and detection of antigen in biopsies in 28 of 33 (85%) children. The 2 latter methods were superior to the agglutinin test. Serotype O3 and O9 predominated. The frequency and seriousness of complications may justify the use of antibiotics for Yersinia enteritis in children 6 years of age or older.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, St. Radboud Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hoogkamp-Korstanje
authors.forename: V M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Stolk-Engelaar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012698:Serologic Tests; D012703:Serotyping; D017678:Sex Distribution; D015009:Yersinia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015008:Yersinia enterocolitica / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents