[Multiple hepatosplenic abscesses caused by Yersinia enterocolitica in a patient with hemochromatosis].
Yersinia enterocolitica is a gram-negative bacillus that thrives in conditions associated with iron overload. We describe an unusual case of a diabetic patient with a previously unrecognized hemochromatosis presenting with Y. enterocolitica septicemia. He was admitted because of a 10 day history of abdominal pain, fever and jaundice. Blood cultures grew Y. enterocolitica. The abdomen CT scan showed multiple liver and splenic abscesses. Antibiotic treatment with ciprofloxacin (2 months) resulted in a good clinical response. Serum iron studies showed iron overload. Liver biopsy revealed moderate fibrosis and early cirrhosis with large amounts of hemosiderin granules deposited in hepatocytes and bile duct epithelium. This report reviews the literature and highlights that iron overload must be ruled out in Yersinia septicemia patients.
Zapata
R
R
Departamentos de Gastroenterología, Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago de Chile.
García
P
P
D000038:Abscess / Q000382:microbiology*; D006432:Hemochromatosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008100:Liver Abscess / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D015009:Yersinia Infections / Q000150:complications*; D015008:Yersinia enterocolitica