Properties of Yersinia enterocolitica and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis in red blood cell concentrate of different ABO groups during 30-day storage at 4 degrees C

Objective The present study aimed to investigate the psychrophilic properti es of Yersinia enterocolitica and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis as contaminan ts of donated blood. Methods Bags with red blood cell concentrates (RBCCs) of A, B, and AB blood groups were inoculated with a bacterial suspension of Y. enterocolitica (0 : 3 and 0 : 8) and Y. pseudotuberculosis (serovars I and III) and stored at 4 degreesC for 30 days. Bacterial growth was measured at selected interval s after inoculation. Initial strains and their subcultures (isolated after 30 days' incubation at 4 degreesC) were tested for glycolytic activity and susceptibility to the bactericidal action of human serum. Results It was found that all strains grew well in the RBCCs of A, B, and A B groups. After incubation at 4 degreesC they increased their glycolytic ac tivity and became more sensitive to the killing ability of human serum. Conclusions The prolonged storage of contaminated Y. enterocolitica and Y p seudotuberculosis RBCCs at 4 degreesC induces bacterial multiplication to h igh levels and stimulates glycolytic activity of bacterial cells.