[Transfusion incidents related to bacterial contamination: review of the literature and hemovigilance data. For the working group Bacterial incidents of French Blood Agency, scientific advice of Bacthem and the French hemovigilance network].
The impact of transfusion reactions related to bacterial contamination (TRBC) of labile blood products (LBP) was identified in France soon after the implementation of the haemovigilance system. The aims of our communication were: 1) to confront published data on TRBC with available French data; 2) to describe measures implemented in France to prevent TRBC. Bacterial contamination of whole blood at the collection stage is found in 0.6 to 3% of blood donations. Systematic bacteriological controls detect frequent contaminations of LBP that vary according to studies and the nature of the product. The incidence of clinical TRBC was only estimated in recipients with malignant diseases. Based on French haemovigilance data, the incidence was estimated to two per 100,000 delivered units. The measures taken were the diffusion of information and recommendations and the implementation of studies. In the framework of the Bacthem study (a national case-control study on LBP-related bacterial contamination), standardised diagnostic criteria are applied to suspected TRBC notified to the Centre National d'Hémovigilance. Expected results should allow us to estimate the incidence of TRBC in France and to determine the recipients or situations at risk more precisely, in order to target additional preventive measures. Preliminary results, 11 months after the beginning of the study, show the feasibility and the relevance of completing the surveillance with specific studies within the haemovigilance network.
Centre national d'hémovigilance, institut de santé publique d'épidémiologie et de développement, Bordeaux, Paris.
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P
Perez
R
R
Ngombet
J
J
Debeir
L
L
Noël
F
F
Sari
D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D001771:Blood Banks / Q000592:standards*; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D012307:Risk Factors; D065227:Transfusion Reaction