In a stool culture showing aerobic gram-negative rods, which organism is likely if the patient had pseudoappendicular syndrome?

Pseudoappendicular syndrome is often associated with Yersinia enterocolitica infection, which can mimic appendicitis due to its symptoms. In cases of Yersinia infection, patients typically present with abdominal pain that can be localized to the right lower quadrant, leading to confusion with appendicitis.

Yersinia enterocolitica is a gram-negative rod that grows well in aerobic conditions and is known for its ability to cause gastrointestinal disturbances, including diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain. This organism is often transmitted through contaminated food, particularly undercooked pork or unpasteurized milk products, which can contribute to the development of symptoms resembling appendicitis.

While other gram-negative rods such as Salmonella, Shigella, and Escherichia coli are also capable of causing gastrointestinal illnesses, their clinical presentations differ from that of Yersinia enterocolitica in the context of pseudoappendicular syndrome. Thus, the likelihood of Yersinia enterocolitica as the causative agent in this specific scenario is significantly higher.