Yersinia Enterocolitica as a Cause of Acute Mesenteric Lymphadenitis

Summary Two cases of acute mesenteric lymphadenitis caused by Yersinia enterocolitica in children aged 11 and 12 years are described. At appendectomy the appendix was found innocent, but in the ileocecal region and in the mesentery there were lymph nodes from which bacterial culture grew Y. enterocolitica . In one patient, agglutinins against Y. enterocolitica were established in the titre 12 80 and in the other in the titre 20. The importance of etiologic studies in cases of acute mesenteric lymphadenitis is emphasised.