Microbiologic findings in protracted and chronic enterocolitis]

Novel diagnostic methods (immunoblotting, immunofluorescence test) have been proved to be very sensitive and specific for detecting enteropathogenic bacilli. 28 patients with chronic enterocolitis were investigated. In 50% (14/28) of these patients Yersinia enterocolitica could be visualized in biopsies by immunofluorescence. The serum of 8 patients also contained IgA-antibodies against plasmid encoded released proteins of Y. enterocolitica. This paper reports evidence for persistence of Yersinia bacilli in a group of patients with chronic enterocolitis. Further studies must show, if these results may have therapeutic implications.