Yersinia enterocolitica bacteremia associated with red blood cell transfusion

A chronically ill, 80-year-old man received over three fourths of a unit of CPDA-1 red blood cells contaminated with Yersinia enterocolitica serotype 0:3. He experienced rigors, high fever, elevated blood pressure, and increased pulse rate. He was treated with antibiotics and discharged in stable condition 6 days later. The blood donor, an Air Force recruit, was asymptomatic at the time of donation but recalled having had diarrhea 4 days earlier. In addition, several other flight members were reported to have had diarrhea at the same time. Serologic evidence suggested that the donor had had a recent infection with Y enterocolitica serotype 0:3.