TRANSFUSION-TRANSMITTED YERSINIA-ENTEROCOLITICA INFECTION IN NEW-ZEALAND

Aims: To update and summarise cases of transfusion-transmitted Yersini a enterocolitica infection in New Zealand and to evaluate critically s uggested methods to reduce this rare but frequently fatal complication of blood transfusion. Methods: Case reports of four recent transfusio n-transmitted Y. enterocolitica infections in New Zealand are given an d previous reports reviewed. Literature review and evaluation of propo sed methods to decrease the incidence of transfusing yersinia contamin ated blood. Results: There have been eight cases of transfusion-transm itted Y. enterocolitica infection in New Zealand in the past five year s. Four of the five deaths have been directly caused by the transfusio n. This gives a transfusion incidence rate of one: 65,000 and a fatali ty rate of one: 104,000 units transfused. This fatality rate is more t han 80 times higher than that reported in the United States. Conclusio ns: Why the incidence of transfusion-transmitted yersinia is so high i s not clear, since we do not store blood as long as many other countri es, particularly the United States. In Auckland, however the cases cam e at a time when the number of yersinia isolates from the community is reported to be rising.Many suggestions for the prevention of this pro blem have been put forward reflecting the fact that there is as yet no perfect solution. Those which are easy to implement and cheap to perf orm are largely already in place and investigation is continuing into the other alternatives.