Reduction of platelet transfusion- associated sepsis by short-term bacterial culture.
OBJECTIVE
There is as yet no suitable routine laboratory test for a blood transfusion service to detect bacterial contamination in platelets. This study evaluates the effectiveness and the applicability of short-term bacterial culture for such a purpose.


METHODS
Samples from 5-unit platelet pools were inoculated into an aerobic culture bottle, then monitored for 48 h at 35 degrees C in an automated monitoring and detection system.


RESULTS
26,210 whole-blood-derived platelet components were tested, of which 14 (0.053%) platelet units were found to be contaminated. In addition, nine of the associated red cell units and 4 fresh-frozen plasma units grew the same organisms on culture.


CONCLUSIONS
Short-duration bacterial culture by an automated system is effective and suitable for routine screening in a regional transfusion center.
Liu
H W
HW
Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, China. hwliu@ha.org.hk
Yuen
K Y
KY
Cheng
T S
TS
Lee
K B
KB
Chua
E K
EK
Ho
P L
PL
Lin
C K
CK
D003114:Colony-Forming Units Assay; D006801:Humans; D017713:Platelet Transfusion / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018805:Sepsis / Q000382:microbiology*; D013997:Time Factors