Protein-losing enteropathy caused by Yersinia enterocolitica colitis

Paediatr Int Child Health. 2021 Nov;41(4):291-294. doi: 10.1080/20469047.2021.1890681. Epub 2021 Sep 7.

Abstract

A 7-month-old boy was admitted with acute gastro-enteritis accompanied by fever and hyponatraemic dehydration. The clinical course was complicated by severe hypokalaemia and hypo-albuminaemia with anasarca. Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) owing to Yersinia enterocolitica colitis was diagnosed and was complicated by fungal sepsis owing to Kodomaea ohmeri. Colonoscopy demonstrated multiple diffuse ulcers and sub-epithelial haemorrhages extending from the rectum to the hepatic angle. He required prolonged nutritional support comprising partial parenteral feeding for 10 days, followed by a hypo-allergenic diet until 13 months of age when cow milk was tolerated. He was discharged on a normal diet and in good health at 19 months of age.Abbreviations AVPU scale: A alert, V verbally responsive, P painfully responsive, U unresponsive; CMV: cytomegalovirus; EBV: Epstein-Barr virus; HIV: human immunodeficiency virus; Ig: immunoglobulin; IBD: inflammatory bowel disease; IPEX: immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked syndrome; PICU: paediatric intensive care unit; PLE: protein-losing enteropathy.

Keywords: Protein-losing enteropathy; Yersinia enterocolitica; colitis.

MeSH terms

  • Colitis* / complications
  • Colitis* / diagnosis
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections* / complications
  • HIV Infections* / complications
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Protein-Losing Enteropathies* / diagnosis
  • Yersinia enterocolitica*