Yersinia enterocolitica septicemia in autologous blood transfusion

BACKGROUND: Increasingly, autologous blood transfusions are used in elective surgical procedures to avoid the risk of infection due to allogeneic blood transfusion. CASE REPORT: A 64-year-old patient had to undergo the implantation of a total right hip endoprosthesis. During the transfusion of 1 unit of autologous packed red cells, the patient experienced high temperature and shock, which necessitated his observation in the intensive care unit for several days. Yersinia enterocolitica (type O:9) was isolated from the packed red cells, from the unit of fresh-frozen plasma separated from the same donation, and from one blood culture drawn from the patient. With appropriate therapy, the patient recovered without sequelae. CONCLUSION: Although autologous blood transfusions are safe with respect to transmission of human immunodeficiency virus or hepatitis B and C infections, the risk of bacterial septicemia remains.