A person with mesenteric lymphadenitis has inflammation of the lymph nodes inside the abdomen. A fold of membranes, known as the mesentery, connects the internal organs to the abdominal wall. When lymph nodes inside the mesentery become inflamed, the condition is referred to as mesenteric lymphadenitis.

Mesenteric lymphadenitis may be caused by:

• Viral infections (the most common cause)
• Viral gastroenteritis (e.g. adenovirus)
• Epstein-Barr virus infections
• Bacterial infections:
• Food poisoning
• Bacterial gastroenteritis
• Cat scratch fever