Yersinia enterocolitica septicemia in autologous blood transfusion.
BACKGROUND
Increasingly, autologous blood transfusions are used in elective surgical procedures to avoid the risk of infection due to allogeneic blood transfusion.


METHODS
A 64-year-old patient had to undergo the implantation of a total right hip endoprosthesis. During the transfusion of 1 unit of autologous packed red cells, the patient experienced high temperature and shock, which necessitated his observation in the intensive care unit for several days. Yersinia enterocolitica (type O:9) was isolated from the packed red cells, from the unit of fresh-frozen plasma separated from the same donation, and from one blood culture drawn from the patient. With appropriate therapy, the patient recovered without sequelae.


CONCLUSIONS
Although autologous blood transfusions are safe with respect to transmission of human immunodeficiency virus or hepatitis B and C infections, the risk of bacterial septicemia remains.
Haditsch
M
M
Institute for Medical Mikrobiology and Hygiene, Elizabeth Hospital, Linz, Austria.
Binder
L
L
Gabriel
C
C
Müller-Uri
P
P
Watschinger
R
R
Mittermayer
H
H
D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015009:Yersinia Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D015008:Yersinia enterocolitica