Which of the following statements about Yersinia infection is true?

Yersinia: Which statement is true?

✅ E) All of the above — all listed statements are correct and clinically relevant for morbidity, mortality, and quality of life 1, 2, 1.

• A) Differential diagnosis from appendicitis is required

  • Yersinia (enterocolitica/pseudotuberculosis) can present as febrile pseudoappendicular syndrome; testing is advised when persistent RLQ pain mimics appendicitis, often with mesenteric adenitis 1, 2.

• B) It is characterized by the development of mesenteric adenitis

  • Mesenteric adenitis with persistent abdominal pain is classic and specifically highlighted for Yersinia; consider in school-aged children with RLQ pain 1, 2.

• C) It can be associated with the appearance of erythema nodosum and arthritis

  • Postinfectious extraintestinal sequelae (reactive arthritis, erythema nodosum) are recognized for enteric pathogens including Yersinia; guidelines advise clinicians to evaluate for these 1.

• D) It is associated with bacteremia in patients with iron overload

  • Invasive yersiniosis risk rises in iron-overload states and chronic liver disease; severe outcomes (e.g., mycotic aneurysm) are reported, underscoring mortality risk in these hosts 1.

Pitfalls/caveats:

• Don’t miss Yersinia in RLQ pain with normal appendix imaging; obtain stool culture/PCR targeted for Yersinia when pseudoappendicitis or epidemiologic risk (e.g., pork exposure) is present 1.
• High-risk hosts (iron overload, cirrhosis, diabetes) have higher risk of bacteremia; obtain blood cultures and treat promptly to prevent severe morbidity/mortality 1.