# Yersinia Is Not Just the Plague: A Case Report of Yersiniosis Caused by Yersinia enterocolitica

## TL;DR

This case report describes a rare severe infection caused by Yersinia enterocolitica in a healthy 60-year-old farmer, highlighting its potential to cause serious complications beyond the gut.

## Contribution

The report presents a rare case of severe Y. enterocolitica infection in an immunocompetent individual with extra-intestinal manifestations.

## Key findings

- Y. enterocolitica caused bacteremia, renal impairment, and pulmonary symptoms in an otherwise healthy patient.
- Stool culture confirmed the diagnosis after other tests were negative.
- Treatment with doxycycline and amoxicillin led to recovery and normalization of kidney function.

## Abstract

Yersinia enterocolitica is a Gram-negative bacterium that typically causes self-limiting gastrointestinal infections but can sometimes lead to systemic complications, particularly in immunocompromised hosts. This report describes a rare case of a 60-year-old farmer who developed enteric bacteremia, renal impairment, and pulmonary manifestations, likely due to the consumption of undercooked pork. Despite lacking common predisposing factors, the patient presented with a sore throat, joint pain, abdominal discomfort, and a characteristic erythematous rash. Extensive diagnostic workup, including blood cultures and autoimmune screening, yielded negative results. However, stool culture eventually identified Y. enterocolitica as the causative agent. The patient experienced worsening kidney function, respiratory distress, and significant abdominal findings on imaging, prompting consultations across multiple specialties. Treatment with doxycycline and amoxicillin led to clinical improvement, and the patient’s renal function returned to baseline. This case highlights the potential for Y. enterocolitica to cause rare and severe extra-intestinal manifestations, including pulmonary involvement, in an immunocompetent host, underscoring the importance of considering this pathogen in differential diagnoses of systemic infections.