Cutaneous manifestations of Yersinia enterocolitica infection

Background. Cutaneous manifestations occurring in infections due to Yersini a enterocolitica are usually erythema nodosum, erythema multiforme or cutan eous vasculitis. The association between Yersinia infection and Sweet's syn drome is rare. We describe such a case contributing to the discussion on th is association, Case-report. A 29-year-old woman had a papulo-pustular eruption with fever associated with arthralgia. The results of the infectious laboratory invest igations were negative but Yersinia enterocolitica type 0.9 was isolated fr om a stool culture, The serologic diagnosis of Yersinia enterocolitica usin g serum agglutinins was negative, The diagnosis of Sweet's syndrome was mad e on a skin biopsy specimen. Search for hematology disease or underlying ne oplasia was negative. The clinical course was rapidly favorable with antibi otic treatment (ciprofloxacin). Discussion. The diagnosis of Yersinia enterocolitica infection is difficult . Microbiologic diagnosis of Yersinia infection is best achieved by isolati on of the bacterium from a clinical specimen of involved tissue. The agglut ination test is not highly specific or sensitive. Immunoblotting appears to be more sensitive.