What type of transfusion reaction is characterized by high fever, shock, and renal failure?

A transfusion reaction characterized by high fever, shock, and renal failure is associated with bacterial contamination. This type of reaction often occurs when the blood product is contaminated with bacteria, typically gram-negative organisms. The presence of bacteria can lead to the release of endotoxins, triggering a severe inflammatory response.

Patients may experience acute symptoms such as high fever, chills, hypotension (shock), and acute kidney injury, which can manifest as renal failure due to the effects of toxins and associated hemolysis. The rapid onset of these symptoms and the severe nature of the reaction necessitate immediate medical intervention to manage the patient's stability and prevent further complications.

In contrast, transfusion reactions like circulatory overload typically result from fluid overload rather than an infectious cause, febrile reactions are primarily focused on fever without the severe implications of shock or renal failure, and anaphylactic reactions are linked to allergic responses that, while serious, do not typically present with the same combination of systemic collapse and renal involvement as bacterial contamination reactions do.