[Prevalence of bacterial contamination of standard platelet units: prospective study].
BACKGROUND
Platelet concentrates contaminated with bacteria are a main source of transfusion-associated sepsis. Several studies have reported a very wide incidence (0-10%) of contamination. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of bacterial contamination of standard platelet units at the regional blood transfusion center in Casablanca.


METHODS
During 15.5 months, 3,458 platelet concentrates (PCs) were analysed. The plasma from the bag and the tube was homogenised. One-fifth of the tube contents were inoculated every day for five days in two tubes containing 2.5 mL of Tryptic soy broth. One tube was incubated at room temperature and the other at 37 degrees C for 24 hours. The bacteria were identified by standard procedures.


RESULTS
Twenty-five (0.72%) of 3,458 platelet bags were contaminated. Twenty-two bacteria (88%) were found in the platelet bags stored three days or more, of which 14 (56%) were Staphylococci coagulase negative, two Staphylococcus aureus, one alpha-haemolytic Streptococcus, four bacillus cereus, one Enterobacter cloacae, one Escherichia Coli and two Xanthomonas maltophilia.


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence reported in this series is higher than that reported by most authors.
Loukhmas
L
L
Centre régional de transfusion sanguine de Casablanca, Maroc.
Houmane
N
N
Mskine
M
M
Mdaghri
N
N
Benbachir
M
M
Benchemsi
N
N
D001409:Bacillus cereus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000382:microbiology*; D016972:Enterobacter cloacae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D009018:Morocco; D017713:Platelet Transfusion / Q000592:standards*; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D020615:Stenotrophomonas maltophilia / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification