[Gougerot-Sjögren's syndrome. Clinical and biological correlations with the serology of Yersinia infections].

An unusual case of Sjögren's syndrome (SS) induced or revealed by a Yersinia pseudotuberculosis serotype IV infection has prompted the authors to undertake a retrospective study of 32 patients with that syndrome. High titers of antibodies to Y. pseudotuberculosis serotype IV (greater than 1/200 th) were found in 4 patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome and Sharp's syndrome. Seven other patients (5 with primary Sjögren's syndrome, 1 with systemic lupus erythematosus and 1 with Sharp's syndrome) had positive serology with low titres, of doubtful significance. Serology was negative in the 20 remaining patients. Nine out of 25 patients had anti-thyroid antibodies, and their relationship with positive Y. pseudotuberculosis IV serology is discussed. The responsibility of the infection in the induction or disclosure of Sjögren's syndrome may be considered. However, since the syndrome frequently develops before serology becomes positive (8/12 cases with a 1 to 6 years' follow-up), an alternative hypothesis would be that diminished digestive defences in Sjögren's syndrome result in an increased frequency of Yersinia infections.