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Transfusion-Transmitted Yersinia — SCE Infectious Diseases MCQ

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HardInfection Prevention & ControlTransfusion-Transmitted YersiniaSCE Infectious Diseases

A 45-year-old woman develops high fever and shock after receiving a blood transfusion. The transfused unit was later found to be contaminated with Yersinia enterocolitica. What property of this organism facilitates transfusion-transmitted infection?

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Correct answer: E — Yersinia grows at refrigerator temperatures (4°C) — it can multiply in stored red cell units during the standard storage period

Yersinia enterocolitica is a psychrophilic (cold-loving) organism that can grow at 4°C — the standard storage temperature for red blood cell units. During the 35-day storage period, even a small inoculum can multiply to high bacterial loads, causing severe septic transfusion reactions with endotoxic shock and high mortality. This is why bacterial contamination of blood products is a recognised transfusion risk. Platelets (stored at room temperature) are more commonly contaminated overall, but Yersinia specifically affects refrigerated red cells.

Reference: SHOT 2024 – UK Haemovigilance; UKHSA 2023 – Transfusion-transmitted infections