[Serodiagnosis of Yersinia infections in cirrhotic patients. Study apropos of 73 patients].

It is well-known that cirrhosis is a predisposing factor to Yersinia septicemia. This study includes 73 cirrhotics and shows a high number of positive serologic tests (47/73 : 64.4%). However, there is no correlation with clinical features or bacteriological findings. The most frequent serotypes, i.e. pseudotuberculosis IV and enterocolitica 0:9, differ from those which are usually found in Yersinia septicemias. Iron overload in cirrhosis, increased intestinal load of gram-negative bacilli and possible latent bacteremia may partly explain these results. However, the role probably played by as yet poorly known cross-reactions between Yersinia and other pathogens (Shigella, E. Coli...) must be underscored. The authors conclude that slightly positive, stable, serodiagnostic tests have little meaning in cirrhotics.