Glomerulonephritis in infections with Yersinia enterocolitica O-serotype 3. II. The incidence and immunological features of Yersinia infection in a consecutive glomerulonephritis population.

In a consecutive series of 38 patients with acute glomerulonephritis (GN), 17 showed serological or immunological signs of current or previous yersiniosis. None of these 17 patients had raised antistreptolysin-o titres. Only half of these patients had had clinical symptoms of Yersinia infection. Light microscopic examination revealed that 12 of the 17 patients had proliferative and 4 epimembranous GN. In 8 out of 14 biopsy specimens, Yersinia antigen could be demonstrated by immunoglobulins and complement. Immunofluorescence microscopy examination of all biopsy specimens containing sufficient tissue for a valid analysis showed deposits of complement and immunoglobulin G, most specimens also immunoglobulins A and M. It is considered highly likely that Y. ent. O:3 may be, and frequently is, an etiological factor for development of acute GN. It would be advisable not only to investigate all patients with acute GN for streptococcal infections, but also to carry out serological and bacteriological tests for Y. eng. O:3 infection and to institute an active therapeutic approach to acute infections caused by this bacterium.