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Fatal Yersinia enterocolitica biotype 4 serovar O:3 sepsis after red blood cell transfusion
Author(s) -
Leclercq Alexandre,
Martin Liliane,
Vergnes Maya Laporte,
Ounnoughene Nadra,
Laran JeanFrançois,
Giraud Patrick,
Carniel Elisabeth
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1111/j.1537-2995.2005.04363.x
Subject(s) - yersinia enterocolitica , medicine , sepsis , septic shock , complication , blood transfusion , incidence (geometry) , shock (circulatory) , surgery , immunology , biology , bacteria , genetics , physics , optics
BACKGROUND: Although posttransfusion bacterial sepsis is rare, this complication is associated with a high mortality rate. CASE REPORT: A fatal case of septic shock was observed in a 71‐year‐old patient following transfusion of contaminated red blood cells (RBCs) for refractory anemia. Yersinia enterocolitica was isolated from the patient's blood sample and the transfused RBCs. Both strains were of bioserotype 4/O:3 and had the same Not I pulsotype. High titers of antibodies against Y. enterocolitica were detected in the donor's plasma sample 1 month after blood donation. The donor reported abdominal discomfort 3.5 months before blood collection but had no clinical signs of intestinal infection at the time of donation. CONCLUSION: Y. enterocolitica has been identified with increased frequency as a causative agent of posttransfusion septic shock. This nationwide investigation of these cases led to an estimated incidence of one case per 6.5 million RBC units distributed in France. Although rare, this often fatal complication remains nonpreventable worldwide owing to the lack of practical means for screening RBCs before transfusion.