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Published on: July 11, 2016

Morganella morganii causing fatal sepsis in a platelet recipient and also isolated from a donor's stool

B Golubić-Cepulić1, A Budimir, V Plecko

  • 1Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia. bgolubic@kbc-zagreb.hr

Transfusion Medicine (Oxford, England)
|June 8, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Bacterial contamination in platelet transfusions can lead to sepsis. A fatal case highlights the risk of Morganella morganii transmission from donor to patient, emphasizing transfusion safety concerns.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Transfusion Medicine

Background:

  • Bacterial contamination of blood products poses a significant risk to patient health, leading to morbidity and mortality.
  • Platelet transfusions are particularly susceptible to bacterial contamination due to storage conditions, increasing the risk of transfusion-associated sepsis.

Observation:

  • A fatal case of sepsis following a platelet transfusion is presented.
  • The sepsis was caused by Morganella morganii, a bacterium isolated from the donor's stool and the patient's blood and organs.

Findings:

  • Molecular typing confirmed the same strain of Morganella morganii was present in the donor's stool, the platelet bag, and the patient.
  • The exact route of contamination remains undetermined, with possibilities including inadequate venipuncture disinfection or transient bacteremia in the donor.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the critical need for stringent safety protocols in blood product collection and transfusion to prevent bacterial contamination.
  • Enhanced screening and donor vigilance are essential to mitigate the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections and associated fatalities.

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