Journal of Clinical Case Reports

A Case of Yersinia Enterocolitica Sepsis in a Beta Thalassemia Patient on Deferasirox

Abstract

Pierre-Marc Villeneuve, Shannon Lee Turvey and Sita Gourishankar

We report a case of Yersinia enterocolitica sepsis in a 23 year old woman with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia major and iron overload treated with deferasirox. Although yersiniosis is a recognized complication of iron overload syndromes treated with desferrioxamine, Y. enterocolitica sepsis has not previously been reported in association with deferasirox. This case underscores the importance of considering iron-avid organisms as potential pathogens and initiating appropriate broad empiric antimicrobial coverage as well as discontinuing chelating agents in iron-overloaded patients. Given the current paucity of evidence and lack of consensus regarding appropriate antibiotic regimens for Yersinia sepsis, which we review briefly, we highlight the importance of consulting an Infectious Diseases specialist early in the course of illness.