title: Bacterial contamination of platelet products in the Blood Transfusion Center of Isfahan, Iran.
abstract: Aim:Overall the risk of transfusion transmitted infections has decreased, especially viral infections like HIV and hepatitis B and C. Bacterial contamination of blood and its cellular components, however, remains a common microbiological cause of transfusion associated morbidity and mortality. Platelets pose a special risk given their preservation methods. The incidence of these episodes needs to be assessed and updated on regular basis to accurately manage the risk of transfusion transmitted bacterial infections.Method:2,000 platelet samples from the Blood Transfusion Center of Isfahan were examined randomly during a 5-month period by bacterial culture and molecular tests. Four platelet samples were found to be contaminated with bacteria, giving a rate of contamination of 500 (0.2%) of tested platelets. Isolated bacteria included one each ofKlebsiella pneumoniae,Staphylococcus aureus,Staphylococcus epidermidisandStaphylococcus haemolyticus.Conclusion:Our study underlines the need for additional safety procedures like bacterial screening and pathogen reduction technology to further decrease the risk of transfusion associated bacterial infections.
authors.affiliation: Microbiology Department, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran.
authors.forename: Baghi Baghban
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Farzad
authors.affiliation: Microbiology Department, Yasooj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yasooj, Iran.
authors.forename: Baghban
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Farshad
authors.affiliation: Microbiology Department, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran.
authors.forename: Bamzadeh
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zahra
authors.affiliation: Blood Transfusion Center of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Akbari
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nahid
authors.affiliation: Clinical Pathology Department, Veterinary Faculty of Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Khosravi Bakhtiari
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Mahsa
keywords: PCR; bacterial contamination; platelet concentrate