Mesenteric Lymphadenitis and Terminal Ileitis Due toYersinia pseudotuberculosis

Two patients with a clinical picture of acute appendicitis were found to have mesenteric lymphadenitis and terminal ileitis due to Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. Human infection with Y. pseudotuberculosis has been reported frequently from Europe, but only rarely in this country. The disease is usually a self-limited one, although septicemia occurs occasionally. The organism is generally sensitive to streptomycin, kanamycin, tetracycline and ampicillin. More frequent cultures and serologic testing are encouraged in patients with mesenteric lymphadenitis and regional ileitis.