Yersiniosis complicated by tubulointerstitial nephropathy necessitating peritoneal dialysis in a young child.

Yersinia enterocolitica is a bacterium frequently responsible for gastroenteritis, mostly in children. Tubulointerstitial nephropathy is a rare cause of acute renal failure, the pathophysiological mechanisms of which are still poorly understood. We report here the case of a very young boy hospitalised for diarrhoea with fever and major inflammatory biological syndrome. Coproculture was positive for Y. enterocolitica, and abdominal ultrasound revealed signs of colitis. Cotrimoxazole was introduced, with clinical and biological improvement. On day 5, the patient deteriorated with fever, oedemato-ascitic syndrome and acute oligoanuric renal failure. Peritoneal dialysis was started. Renal biopsy revealed acute tubulointerstitial nephritis. The patient was treated with intravenous corticosteroids with a favourable outcome. Ceftriaxone was added to treat the infection. Peritoneal dialysis was stopped after 3 days. Interstitial renal damage secondary to Y. enterocolitica infection has not been described in the literature. Several renal disorders have been described. Monitoring of renal function in this infection seems important.