Risk of appendicectomy in occupations entailing contact with pigs

Yersinia bacteria are one possible group of microorganisms which might cause appendicitis. In a recent study yersinia infection was found in 31% of patients with acute appendicitis. Moreover, the most common form of yersinia infection - acute intestinal infection - often mimics appendicitis, leading to the removal of an innocent appendix. Yersinia spp are common in swine in various parts of the world, and at least 35% of pigs slaughtered in south western parts of Finland were found to be infected. Abattoir workers reportedly have an increased risk of yersinia infections. So far as I know work related exposures have never been considered in the context of appendicitis or appendicectomy, and I therefore decided to conduct a postal survey among pig farmers, abattoir workers, and farmers not exposed to pigs, asking if their appendixes had been removed.