Liver abscess complicating Yersinia pseudotuberculosis ileitis

The occurrence of solitary liver abscess is described in a young farmer with subacute terminal ileitis mimicking Crohn's disease. Serologic tests showed high titers of antibodies for Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. Treatment with troleandomycin was successful. This case report suggests that: (a) Yersinia infection must be systematically searched for in all forms of subacute ileitis; (b) a classically benign Yersinia ileitis may be complicated by liver abscess; (c) antibiotic therapy must be undertaken in Yersinia pseudotuberculosis subacute ileitis to avoid severe infectious complications.