Sterility Testing of Blood Products in 1994/1995 by Three Cooperating Blood Banks in The Netherlands

Abstract

The rate of contamination compares well with that reported by others in the literature. Since most contamination occurs from the phlebotomy site, most of the bacteria detected were derived from the skin. Leukocyte reduction lowers the rate of contamination.

Processing of peripheral blood progenitor cell components in improved clean areas does not reduce the rate of microbial contamination

“…The gram‐positive bacteria ( Staphylococcus sp ., Bacillus sp ., Corynebacteria, and P. acnes ) are the major causes of bacterial contamination of other blood components, especially of platelet concentrates. They are part of the normal flora of the human skin and are assumed being acquired during venipuncture 25‐27 . Contamination with these bacteria may also happen during sterility testing procedure in the laboratory.…”

Clinical Impact of Bioactive Substances in Blood Components: Implications for Leukocyte Filtration

“…Therefore, the optimal timepoint of leukocyte depletion by filtration after donation is yet not exactly defined. The potential benefit of prestorage leukocyte depletion was recently underlined by a report, which showed a five times lower contamination rate for filtered RBC concentrates compared to nonfiltered concentrates [136]. The temperature of the blood components during filtration has been suggested to play a role, at least in reducing the leukocytes [137].…”

Transfusion‐transmitted bacterial infectionin the United States, 1998 through 2000

“…The prevalence of bacterial contamination of whole blood at collection has recently been estimated to be 0.2 percent 9 . The prevalence of blood component contamination is higher for platelets than for RBCs, but estimates are highly variable and depend on methods of culture, processing, or storage; estimates range between 0.002 and 1.0 percent for RBCs and 0.04 and 10 percent for platelets 3,10–14 . The frequency of bacterial contamination of blood components resulting in transfusion‐transmitted infection has not been well quantified.…”