Fatal Yersinia enterocolitica (serotype 0:5,27) sepsis after blood transfusion.
Septicemia is a rare complication of blood transfusion. This is probably primarily due to the use of sealed disposable containers for blood collection and the storage of red cell-containing components at 4 degrees C. However, despite these measures, septicemia due to blood transfusion continues to occur. We report here a fatal case of Yersinia enterocolitica septicemia due to a contaminated unit of red cells which was collected from an apparently healthy, asymptomatic blood donor. The organism grows at cold temperature and multiplies during storage of red blood cell-containing components. Contaminated components do not show any visible abnormalities. The possibility of transfusion-transmitted Y. enterocolitica should be considered in patients who have symptoms of sepsis or shock following transfusion.
Stubbs
J R
JR
Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis.
Reddy
R L
RL
Elg
S A
SA
Perry
E H
EH
Adcock
L L
LL
McCullough
J
J
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012703:Serotyping; D013997:Time Factors; D065227:Transfusion Reaction; D015009:Yersinia Infections / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000401:mortality; D015008:Yersinia enterocolitica / Q000145:classification