Serratia marcescens contamination of feline whole blood in a hospital blood bank

J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1997 Mar 15;210(6):794-8.

Abstract

During a 7-month period, 29 units of feline whole blood in a hospital blood bank were confirmed, and 2 units were suspected, to be contaminated with Serratia marcescens. An investigation of the outbreak identified S marcescens in a jar of alcohol-soaked cotton balls and in a bag of saline solution used during venipuncture. Fifteen of the contaminated units were administered to 14 cats, and 6 of the 14 developed clinical signs of a transfusion reaction. The most common sign was vomiting; 4 cats died. The report underscores the importance of using aseptic techniques during collection of blood for transfusion and of thoroughly investigating any transfusion reaction.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacteremia / epidemiology
  • Bacteremia / etiology
  • Bacteremia / veterinary*
  • Blood Banks / standards*
  • Blood Donors
  • Blood Transfusion / veterinary*
  • Cat Diseases / epidemiology
  • Cat Diseases / etiology*
  • Cats / blood*
  • Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
  • Male
  • Phlebotomy / veterinary
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Serratia Infections / epidemiology
  • Serratia Infections / etiology
  • Serratia Infections / veterinary*
  • Serratia marcescens* / isolation & purification
  • Transfusion Reaction