Korean J Pathol.  2000 Dec;34(12):1022-1024.

Mesenteric Lymphadenitis Due to Yersinia enterocolitica: A case report

• Shin HM
• Jeong HS
• Wang HD
• Lee YD
• Sung RH

Abstract

Mesenteric lymphadenitis due to Yersinia enterocolitica infection is not common in Korea. Although most cases of Yersinia enterocolitica-induced mesenteric adenitis are self limited, cardinal features of Yersinia enterocolitica-induced mesenteric adenitis are so similar to those of acute appendicitis that some of the patients undergo laparotomy with suspected appendicitis. The findings on laparotomy in such patients are usually enlarged mesenteric nodes with a normal or slightly inflamed appendix. Because histologic examination of the removed mesenteric lymph nodes reveals reactive hyperplasia in most cases, it is usually difficult to suspect Yersinia enterocolitica infection on morphology of the resected nodes. But suppurative granulomata of mesenteric lymph nodes, uncommonly encountered in Yersinia enterocolitica infection, strongly suggest yersinial infection. We report a case of mesenteric lymphadenitis in a 10-year-old boy, who underwent laparotomy with suspected acute appendicitis. The removed lymph node showed several suppurative granulomata in the cortex, suggesting yersinial infection. Serologic study confirmed Yersinia enterocolitica serotype O:3 infection.

Keyword

Yersinia enterocolitica; Mesenteric lymphadenitis; Suppurative granuloma

MeSH Terms

Appendicitis
Appendix
Child
Humans
Hyperplasia
Korea
Laparotomy
Lymph Nodes
Lymphadenitis
Male
Mesenteric Lymphadenitis*
Yemen
Yersinia enterocolitica*
Yersinia*