Death from Transfusion-Transmitted Anaplasmosis, New York, USA, 2017

Abstract

We report a death from transfusion-transmitted anaplasmosis in a 78-year-old man. The patient died of septic shock 2 weeks after a perioperative transfusion with erythrocytes harboring Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The patient's blood specimens were positive for A. phagocytophilum DNA beginning 7 days after transfusion; serologic testing remained negative until death.

Keywords: Anaplasma phagocytophilum; New York; United States; anaplasmosis; bacteria; leukoreduction; red blood cell transfusion; transfusion-transmitted infectious disease.

Figure 1

Anaplasma phagocytophilum morulae observed on peripheral blood smear from patient in whom anaplasmosis infection developed after a blood transfusion, New York, New York, USA. Intracytoplasmic inclusions (morulae) were first seen 15 days after the patient was transfused with an infected erythrocyte unit, leading to a diagnosis of human granulocytic anaplasmosis later confirmed by PCR (original magnification ×1,000 [oil immersion]).

Figure 2

Timeline of patient’s hospitalization for anemia followed by Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection, New York, New York, USA.