Yersinia enterocolitica infection--an unrecognized cause of acute and chronic neurological disease? A 10-year follow-up study on 458 hospitalized patients.

The purpose of the present study was to obtain further information about nervous system involvement associated with Yersinia enterocolitica infection. During the period 1974-1983, the infection was diagnosed by antibody response (agglutination titer or ELISA) and/or isolation of the microorganism in 458 hospitalized patients. 2 patients presented with acute symptoms of the peripheral nervous system, and 6 with symptoms of the central nervous system. The 458 patients were followed for 4-14 years (until 1987). During the follow-up period another 6 patients developed chronic neurological conditions; 4 with peripheral symptoms, and 2 with central symptoms. 11 of the 14 patients experienced persistent complaints. In 1991 (10-17 years after the diagnosis of yersiniosis), 6 patients still had significant antibody response (ELISA). The possibility that the immunologically competent Yersinia enterocolitica might have initiated the chronic neurological disease in these patients should not be disregarded.