Yersinia enterocolitica infection and pseudo-appendicular syndrome

ABSTRACT

Fifty patients with symptoms and signs suggestive of acute appendicitis were investigated for Yersinia enterocolitica infection by both direct cultural technique of the removed appendicular tissues for isolation of the organism and serological methods for detection of specific antibodies. Yersinia enterocolitica specific antibodies were estimated by both microagglutination technique and ELISA for detection of IgM and IgG antibodies. In addition, 25 apparently healthy adults were investigated as control group. In this work isolation of Yersinia enterocolitica from the appendix was not successful. The results of microagglutination technique revealed that 9 [18%] out of the 50 patients were positive for Y. enterocolitica. Moreover, 10 [20%] out of the 50 patients were positive by ELISA IgM compared to 1 out of the 25 controls [4%], which indicates recent infection of Y. enterocolitica. This difference found to be significant [P<0.01]. However, no significant difference was found between patients and control groups by ELISA IgG. In conclusion, recent infection with Yersinia enterocolitica must be taken into consideration in the diagnosis of acute abdominal pain suggestive of acute appendicitis to avoid unnecessary appendicectomies