Yersinia enterocolitica septicaemia from transfusion of red cell concentrate stored for 16 days
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B L Jones1, M H Saw, M F Hanson
1Department of Medical Microbiology, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh.
Insights
Two patients died from Yersinia enterocolitica infection transmitted through blood transfusions. Early blood outdating may not prevent these fatalities, suggesting alternative safety measures are needed.
Area of Science:
- Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Hematology
Background:
- Blood transfusions are critical medical procedures.
- Yersinia enterocolitica is a bacterium that can cause gastrointestinal illness.
- Transfusion-transmitted infections pose a risk to patient safety.
Observation:
- Two fatal cases of Yersinia enterocolitica infection occurred in Scotland within four months.
- Both infections were linked to transfusions of red blood cell concentrate.
- The infected blood units were stored for 16 and 29 days post-donation.
Findings:
- Yersinia enterocolitica can be transmitted via blood transfusion, leading to severe outcomes.
- Donors may be asymptomatic carriers of the pathogen.
- Current storage duration limits may not be sufficient to prevent transmission.
Implications:
- Early outdating of blood products (e.g., after three weeks) is unlikely to eliminate Yersinia enterocolitica transmission risks.
- Alternative strategies for preventing transfusion-transmitted Yersinia enterocolitica infections are necessary.
- Enhanced screening or pathogen reduction technologies should be explored to improve blood safety.
Abstract:
Two cases of transfusion transmitted Yersinia enterocolitica biotype 3, serotype 09 infection occurred in south east Scotland within four months of each other. In one case, a 79 year old man died the day after receiving a unit of red cell concentrate that had been stored for 29 days after donation. In the second case a 78 year old man died three days after transfusion of a unit of red cell concentrate that had been collected 16 days before transfusion. The donors of both units had no symptoms attributed to gastrointestinal infection. Early outdating of blood for transfusion after three weeks of storage is unlikely to eradicate Y enterocolitica associated fatalities from blood transfusion, and alternative methods should be considered.