Autologous Transfusion-Transmitted Yersinia enterocolitica

To the Editor. —With the heightened public awareness of the potential risks for transfusion-transmitted diseases, both patients and physicians are more knowledgeable of the benefits of autologous donation/transfusion. In California, physicians are required by law to inform patients of transfusion options, including autologous and directed donations. Although autologous donations decrease the risk of transfusion-transmitted disease by decreasing homologous blood exposure, autologous transfusion is not without risk. The following is a report of transfusion-transmittedYersinia enterocoliticaillness from a unit of autologous blood transfused 41 days after collection. A 74-year-old man with a 4-year history of osteoarthritis donated 4 units of autologous blood for a total knee replacement surgery. Each unit was collected 1 week apart. The patient completed a medical history under the direction of a registered nurse and indicated no bacterial infection. The patient was afebrile at the time of all donations and had no history of dental work