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Fatal Yersinia enterocolitica (Serotype 0:5,27) Sepsis after Blood Transfusion
Author(s) -
Stubbs James R.,
Reddy Ramakrishna L.,
Elg Steven A.,
Perry Elizabeth H.,
Adcock Leon L.,
McCullough Jeffrey
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
vox sanguinis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.68
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1423-0410
pISSN - 0042-9007
DOI - 10.1111/j.1423-0410.1991.tb00921.x
Subject(s) - yersinia enterocolitica , sepsis , medicine , blood transfusion , asymptomatic , serotype , transfusion reaction , red blood cell , complication , blood units , microbiology and biotechnology , immunology , biology , surgery , bacteria , genetics
. 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°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.