[Acute polyarthritis in Yersinia enterocolitica infection. 4 cases in Belgium].

Four cases in acute polyarthritis observed in Belgium, secondary to infection with Yersinia enterocolitica are reported. Apart from in Finland, where the frequency of yersinian rheumatism appears to be equal to that of Bouillaud's disease, these published cases are exceptional. This might appear surprising when it is realized that Yersinia is endemic in Western Europe and in other parts of the world and that alimentary manifestations are not rare and are now well known. This polyarthritis presents as an aspecific oligo-arthritis that is often preceded by acute enteritis and resolves itself spontaneously in several months. Determination of specific agglutinins is the basis of diagnosis. Twice the authors noted a temporary gonoreaction associated with an increase in the anti-Yersinia agglutinins. The few cases presented will help in the recognition of this new form of acute polyarthritis, which may be included among the infectious rheumatisms, and which is probably more frequent than it appears from reading the rheumatological literature.