Septic Shock Due to Yersinia enterocolitica After Autologous Transfusion

We report a case of septic shock due to Yersinia enterocolitica that occurred after an autologous transfusion of packed red blood cells. This rare but dramatic event has been described in cases of transfusion of heterologous erythrocytes. Contamination of the blood cells results from bacteremia in healthy donors who are carriers of Y. enterocolitica, this bacterium can multiply and produce large quantities of endotoxin at 4 degree C, the temperature at which units of blood are normally stored. To our knowledge no case that occurred after autotransfusion has been described in the literature. Although autotransfusion guarantees total immunologic safety, microbiological safety is less certain. Preventive measures should be taken, especially if the candidate for operation has a recent history of diarrhea at the time blood is taken.