Detecting bacteria in platelet concentrates by use of reagent strips.
BACKGROUND
Iatrogenic infection of immunosuppressed or immunocompromised hosts secondary to receipt of blood components containing bacteria may result in serious adverse outcomes. Measurement of pH and glucose by use of inexpensive reagent strips has been proposed as a practical means of screening for bacteria in platelet concentrate (PC) units.


METHODS
Glucose and pH were measured in 3093 PC units by use of reagent strips (Multistix, Bayer Corp.) to screen for bacterial content. Any PC classified by the reagent strip method as containing bacteria was subsequently cultured to confirm the presence and quantity of bacteria present.


RESULTS
Thirty of 3093 PC units were classified as containing bacteria by the reagent strip method. Two of the 30 PC units positive by the reagent strip method were also positive by standard bacterial culture technique. Bacillus cereus was isolated from both units.


CONCLUSIONS
Screening PC units by the reagent strip method resulted in 9.7 units per 1000 being wasted, but prevented two patients from receiving a PC unit containing B. cereus.
Werch
J B
JB
Department of Pathology, Baylor College of Medicine; and The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA. jwerch@bcm.tmc.edu
Mhawech
Paulette
P
Stager
C E
CE
Banez
E I
EI
Lichtiger
Benjamin
B
D001409:Bacillus cereus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D011934:Reagent Strips
D001786:Blood Glucose; D011934:Reagent Strips