Acute and chronic pancreatic disease associated with Yersinia enterocolitica infection: a Norwegian 10‐year follow‐up study of 458 hospitalized patients

Abstract

During the period 1974-1983, Yersinia enterocolitica infection was diagnosed in 458 hospitalized patients by antibody response or isolation of the micro-organism. Eight (1.75%) patients showed signs of acute pancreatitis with elevated serum or urine levels of amylase; two patients had acute insulin-dependent diabetes. The patients were followed up for 4-14 years (until 1987). Four patients were readmitted with chronic pancreatitis, and one with acute pancreatitis. Diabetes developed in two males and nine females; in seven cases this was associated with chronic conditions of possible autoimmune aetiology. In 1987 a significantly higher than expected prevalence of diabetes was demonstrated among female subjects aged 30-54 years. Yersinia enterocolitica infection constitutes a differential diagnosis in acute pancreatitis, and might be related to the development of chronic pancreatitis and diabetes.

Invasive Yersinia infection

“…Contrary to these reports, our patient's immune work up was normal and she didn't have any other risk factors. Some patients with Y. enterocolitica also had signs of acute pancreatitis with elevated serum or urine levels of amylase, and developed chronic pancreatitis [25]. However, our patient's CT showed only a lobulated nodal mass in the peripancreatic region; but, she didn't have any symptoms of acute pancreatitis and had normal serum amylase.…”

Chronic Lyme Disease and Co-infections: Differential Diagnosis

“…The study by Saebo und Lassen [149], which describe the various disease manifestations in a retrospective study of 458 patients, is of particular importance for the depiction of chronic yersiniosis: chronic persistent arthralgias, ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, iridocyclitis, chronic abdominal pains, chronic diarrhea, ulcerative colitis, nervous disorders, nephritis, thyroid disorders, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, chronic hepatitis, (multisystem diseases) and a substantial reduction of the overall life expectancy. Many of the different relationships were reported in further publications by these authors [150-155]. Studies suggesting a possible direct relationship between Yersinia and inflammatory intestinal disorders [155] close the pathophysiological circle between Yersinia, inflammatory intestinal disorders and enteropathic arthritides.…”