Bacteriological and serological findings in a further case of transfusion-mediated Yersinia enterocolitica sepsis

A 13-year-old patient developed severe shock due to administration of a Yer sinia enterocolitica-contaminated red blood cell concentrate. Y. enterocoli tica (serotype O:9, biotype II) was cultivated from the residual blood in t he blood bag and from a stool sample of the blood donor. In the donor's pla sma immunoglobulin hi (IgM), IgA, and Ige antibodies against Yersinia outer proteins (YopM, -II, -D, and -E) were found. Since the donor remembered a short-lasting, mild diarrhea 14 days prior to blood donation, a transient a ttack of Yersinia enteritis may be associated with a longer than expected p eriod of asymptomatic bacteremia that causes contamination of donor blood. Serological screening for IgM antibodies against Yersinia outer proteins mi ght offer a way to reduce the risk of transfusion-associated I: enterocolit ica sepsis.