Transfusion associated bacteremia and septic shock due to Erwinia herbicola.

We report a case of severe septicemia after blood transfusion to a 61-year-old man. The patient developed septic shock with signs of disseminated intravascular coagulation already during the blood transfusion. Blood culture from the patient showed growth of Erwinia herbicola and culture from the blood bag massive growth of the same microorganism. The bag had been stored in a refrigerator for 3 weeks after tapping. It is likely that contamination occurred during the tapping procedure.