Yersinia enterocolitis.

Human infection with Yersinia enterocolitica is being seen with increasing frequency. This disease has importance to the pediatric surgeon as it may mimic acute appendicitis in patients in the pediatric age group. Clinical suspicion should be high in the patient with right lower-quadrant symptoms suggestive of appendicitis with an inordinate amount of diarrhea. Serologic and microbiologic evidence should be sought, and tissues removed at the time of a negative exploration for appendicitis should be cultured for Yersinia enterocolitica. In general, the disease is associated with an excellent clinical response to simple antibiotic therapy and a good prognosis, but fatal cases have been reported, especially in older patients.