ACUTE-RENAL-FAILURE ASSOCIATED WITH YERSINIA-PSEUDOTUBERCULOSIS INFECTION

Since 1987, we have experienced 11 children with acute renal failure ( ARF) associated with Yersinia pseudotuberculosis (YP) infection. The i llness began with the sudden onset of high fever, skin rash and gastro intestinal symptoms. Later in the course, periungual desquamation deve loped, mimicking Kawasaki disease. Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein and thrombocytosis were noticeable, and mild degrees of proteinuria, glycosuria and sterile pyuria were common. ARF , which typically developed about 1-3 weeks after the onset of fever, underwent a benign course with complete recovery. The renal biopsies m ainly revealed findings of acute tubulointerstitial nephritis. YP shou ld be considered as one of the causes of acute tubulointerstitial neph ritis causing ARF, especially in children.