title: Septic shock from the administration of a bacterially contaminated platelet transfusion.
abstract: We report the case of a 6-year-old boy who began to have fever and hypotension during the administration of a platelet transfusion. Subsequent investigation revealed the etiology to be bacterial contamination of the platelet product. Seratia marcescens was cultured from both the patient's blood and the platelet product. When fever and/or cardiorespiratory problems develop during the administration of blood products, possible bacterial contamination of the product must be considered so that appropriate therapy can be instituted. We discuss the etiology, possible preventive strategies, and the treatment of this problem.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child Health, University of Missouri, Columbia 65212, USA.
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Neff
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Tobias
mesh_terms: D001781:Blood Component Removal; D001782:Blood Donors; D002648:Child; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017713:Platelet Transfusion / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012208:Rhabdomyosarcoma / Q000628:therapy; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000209:etiology*